diff --git a/gramps/grampsapp.py b/gramps/grampsapp.py
index afd62ddca..3e8a4714c 100644
--- a/gramps/grampsapp.py
+++ b/gramps/grampsapp.py
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ if win():
             pass # ok
         elif not os.path.isdir(HOME_DIR):
             os.makedirs(HOME_DIR)
-        sys.stdout = sys.stderr = io.open(logfile, "w", encoding='utf-8')
+        sys.stdout = sys.stderr = open(logfile, "w")
 stderrh = logging.StreamHandler(sys.stderr)
 stderrh.setFormatter(form)
 stderrh.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)