diff --git a/forex_python/converter.py b/forex_python/converter.py
index 390a11a..5f7f3a8 100644
--- a/forex_python/converter.py
+++ b/forex_python/converter.py
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ def __init__(self):
     def _currency_data(self):
         if self.__currency_data is None:
             file_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
-            with open(file_path + '/raw_data/currencies.json') as f:
+            with open(file_path + '/raw_data/currencies.json', encoding='utf-8') as f:
                 self.__currency_data = json.loads(f.read())
         return self.__currency_data