diff --git a/mvw-dl.py b/mvw-dl.py
index 5e279d8..2bf2639 100644
--- a/mvw-dl.py
+++ b/mvw-dl.py
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ def state_file_none_or_valid_json(
 
     if os.path.exists(state_file_abs_path):
         if os.path.getsize(state_file_abs_path) > 0:
-            with open(state_file_abs_path, "r") as state_file:
+            with open(state_file_abs_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as state_file:
                 try:
                     json.loads(state_file.read())
                     return True
@@ -535,7 +535,7 @@ def log_successful_download(
 
     with lock:
         state_file_none_or_valid_json(state_file_abs_path)
-        with open(state_file_abs_path, "r+") as state_file:
+        with open(state_file_abs_path, "r+", encoding="utf-8") as state_file:
             try:
                 json_state = json.load(state_file)
             except json.JSONDecodeError:
@@ -544,12 +544,12 @@ def log_successful_download(
                     json_state = []
 
         log.debug(f"{shorthand_uuid} Writing log entry to '{state_file_abs_path}' ...")
-        with open(state_file_abs_path, "w") as state_file:
+        with open(state_file_abs_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as state_file:
             json_state.append(state_entry)
             max_log_entries = config_obj.getint(section_name, "state_file_retention")
             if len(json_state) > max_log_entries:
                 json_state = truncate_log(json_state, max_log_entries)
-            json.dump(json_state, state_file, indent=4, sort_keys=True)
+            json.dump(json_state, state_file, indent=4, sort_keys=True, ensure_ascii=False)
 
 
 def copy_url(