diff --git a/SSnR.py b/SSnR.py
index 5cbd62d..0603e89 100755
--- a/SSnR.py
+++ b/SSnR.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ def main():
 			return -1
 		for input_filename in filenames:
 			try:
-				output_file = open((input_ex.subn(args["regex_output"], input_filename))[0], "w")
+				output_file = open((input_ex.subn(args["regex_output"], input_filename))[0], "w", encoding='utf8')
 				output_files.append(output_file)
 			except OSError as exception:
 				print("Error: file not found: " + str(exception))
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ def main():
 		use_output_file = True
 	elif args["output"] is not None:
 		try:
-			output_file = open(args["output"], "w")
+			output_file = open(args["output"], "w", encoding='utf8')
 			output_files.append(output_file)
 		except OSError as exception:
 			print("Error: file not found: " + str(exception))
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ def main():
 	if is_file:
 		for filename in filenames:
 			try:
-				with open(filename, "r") as file:
+				with open(filename, "r", encoding='utf8') as file:
 					string = file.read()
 			except OSError as exception:
 				print("Error: file not found: " + str(exception))
@@ -240,3 +240,4 @@ def find_line(begin_pos, end_pos, new_lines):
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
 	sys.exit(main())
+