diff --git a/cogs/timings.py b/cogs/timings.py
index bc756db..fe03d8d 100644
--- a/cogs/timings.py
+++ b/cogs/timings.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import yaml
 
 TIMINGS_CHECK = None
 YAML_ERROR = None
-with open("cogs/timings_check.yml", 'r') as stream:
+with open("cogs/timings_check.yml", 'r', encoding="utf8") as stream:
     try:
         TIMINGS_CHECK = yaml.safe_load(stream)
     except yaml.YAMLError as exc: