diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 7a2b8ede..f429e4bd 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ defined_macros['CYTHON_CLINE_IN_TRACEBACK'] = 0
 
 # Getting description:
 with open('README.rst') as readme_file:
-    description = readme_file.read().encode('utf-8')
+    description = readme_file.read()
 
 # Getting requirements:
 with open('requirements.txt') as requirements_file: