diff --git a/support/schema/gendummydata.py b/support/schema/gendummydata.py
index 68f58b6..b8944cb 100755
--- a/support/schema/gendummydata.py
+++ b/support/schema/gendummydata.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ usage: gendummydata.py outputfilename.sql
 # package names.  It generates the SQL statements to
 # insert these users/packages into the AUR database.
 #
+import codecs
 import random
 import time
 import os
@@ -86,7 +87,7 @@ def genUID():
 # load the words, and make sure there are enough words for users/pkgs
 #
 log.debug("Grabbing words from seed file...")
-fp = open(SEED_FILE, "r")
+fp = codecs.open(SEED_FILE, "r", encoding="utf-8")
 contents = fp.readlines()
 fp.close()
 if MAX_USERS > len(contents):
@@ -141,7 +142,7 @@ has_tus = 0
 
 # Just let python throw the errors if any happen
 #
-out = open(sys.argv[1], "w")
+out = codecs.open(sys.argv[1], "w", encoding="utf-8")
 out.write("BEGIN;\n")
 
 # Begin by creating the User statements