diff --git a/earwigbot/wiki/copyvios/__init__.py b/earwigbot/wiki/copyvios/__init__.py
index f08b935..d01b943 100644
--- a/earwigbot/wiki/copyvios/__init__.py
+++ b/earwigbot/wiki/copyvios/__init__.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class CopyvioMixIn(object):
         ignored, and the original content is returned.
         """
         try:
-            response = self._opener.open(url, timeout=5)
+            response = self._opener.open(url.encode("utf8"), timeout=5)
         except (URLError, timeout):
             return None
         result = response.read()