diff --git a/deluge/common.py b/deluge/common.py
index ea615df20..73c89daa5 100644
--- a/deluge/common.py
+++ b/deluge/common.py
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ 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: