diff --git a/deluge/common.py b/deluge/common.py
index 29c37e858..cfab4f890 100644
--- a/deluge/common.py
+++ b/deluge/common.py
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ def open_file(path):
 
     """
     if windows_check():
-        os.startfile("%s" % path)
+        os.startfile(path.decode("utf8"))
     elif osx_check():
         subprocess.Popen(["open", "%s" % path])
     else: