diff --git a/src/compiler/GF/Main.hs b/src/compiler/GF/Main.hs
index 7d4500c7b..1b90430d6 100644
--- a/src/compiler/GF/Main.hs
+++ b/src/compiler/GF/Main.hs
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import Data.Version
 import System.Directory
 import System.Environment (getArgs)
 import System.Exit
+import GHC.IO.Encoding
 -- import GF.System.Console (setConsoleEncoding)
 
 -- | Run the GF main program, taking arguments from the command line.
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ import System.Exit
 -- Run @gf --help@ for usage info.
 main :: IO ()
 main = do
+  setLocaleEncoding utf8
   -- setConsoleEncoding
   uncurry mainOpts =<< getOptions