diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index d42cef65..9b4cf1a6 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from setuptools import setup
 
-with open('README.rst') as readme_file:
+with open('README.rst', encoding="utf8") as readme_file:
     readme = readme_file.read()
 
 setup(