diff --git a/gramps/grampsapp.py b/gramps/grampsapp.py
index 2f0dac5a5..d421ac98c 100644
--- a/gramps/grampsapp.py
+++ b/gramps/grampsapp.py
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ if win():
             pass  # ok
         elif not os.path.isdir(HOME_DIR):
             os.makedirs(HOME_DIR)
-        sys.stdout = sys.stderr = open(logfile, "w")
+        sys.stdout = sys.stderr = open(logfile, "w", encoding='utf-8')
 stderrh = logging.StreamHandler(sys.stderr)
 stderrh.setFormatter(form)
 stderrh.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)