diff --git a/reflex/.templates/apps/base/code/pages/index.py b/reflex/.templates/apps/base/code/pages/index.py
index 62f1fb4ca..aa3b4725b 100644
--- a/reflex/.templates/apps/base/code/pages/index.py
+++ b/reflex/.templates/apps/base/code/pages/index.py
@@ -13,6 +13,6 @@ def index() -> rx.Component:
     Returns:
         The UI for the home page.
     """
-    with open("README.md") as readme:
+    with open("README.md", encoding="utf-8") as readme:
         content = readme.read()
     return rx.markdown(content, component_map=styles.markdown_style)