diff --git a/marc/load.py b/marc/load.py
index a22e7903..8ab5d05d 100644
--- a/marc/load.py
+++ b/marc/load.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import regluit.core.cc as cc
 
 def stub(edition):
     
-    record = pymarc.Record()
+    record = pymarc.Record(force_utf8=True)
 
     now = datetime.now()