--- setup.py.orig	2019-01-11 16:47:10 UTC
+++ setup.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 """
 import re
 import sys
+import codecs
 
 from setuptools import setup, find_packages
 
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ def get_version():
 
 def readme():
     ''' Returns README.rst contents as str '''
-    with open('README.rst') as f:
+    with codecs.open('README.rst', 'r', encoding='utf8') as f:
         return f.read()
 
 
