diff --git a/src/gajim.py b/src/gajim.py
index aa0af343b..b224ef0e9 100644
--- a/src/gajim.py
+++ b/src/gajim.py
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ def parseOpts():
         sys.exit(2)
     for o, a in opts:
         if o in ('-h', '--help'):
-            print(_('Usage:') + \
+            out = _('Usage:') + \
                 '\n  gajim [options] filename\n\n' + \
                 _('Options:') + \
                 '\n  -h, --help         ' + \
@@ -161,7 +161,8 @@ def parseOpts():
                 '\n  -c, --config-path  ' + \
                     _('Set configuration directory') + \
                 '\n  -l, --loglevel     ' + \
-                    _('Configure logging system') + '\n')
+                    _('Configure logging system') + '\n'
+            print(out.encode(locale.getpreferredencoding()))
             sys.exit()
         elif o in ('-q', '--quiet'):
             logging_helpers.set_quiet()