diff --git a/pylib/anki/_backend/genfluent.py b/pylib/anki/_backend/genfluent.py
index 9a47382e0..09330265c 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/_backend/genfluent.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/_backend/genfluent.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from typing import List, Literal, TypedDict
 import stringcase
 
 strings_json, outfile = sys.argv[1:]
-modules = json.load(open(strings_json))
+modules = json.load(open(strings_json, encoding="utf8"))
 
 
 class Variable(TypedDict):
diff --git a/ts/lib/genfluent.py b/ts/lib/genfluent.py
index c92ae8503..3944aad5f 100644
--- a/ts/lib/genfluent.py
+++ b/ts/lib/genfluent.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from typing import List, Literal, TypedDict
 import stringcase
 
 strings_json, outfile = sys.argv[1:]
-modules = json.load(open(strings_json))
+modules = json.load(open(strings_json, encoding="utf8"))
 
 
 class Variable(TypedDict):