diff --git a/Mac/Python/macmain.c b/Mac/Python/macmain.c
index 1d5500f483d..10c5a5ff748 100644
--- a/Mac/Python/macmain.c
+++ b/Mac/Python/macmain.c
@@ -522,6 +522,8 @@ Py_Main(argc, argv)
 	
 	Py_Initialize();
 	
+	PyUnicode_SetDefaultEncoding(PyMac_getscript());
+	
 	PyMac_InstallNavServicesForSF();
 
 	PySys_SetArgv(argc-1, argv+1);