diff --git a/sigal/plugins/feeds.py b/sigal/plugins/feeds.py
index 149a9fa..8480e8c 100644
--- a/sigal/plugins/feeds.py
+++ b/sigal/plugins/feeds.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import os
 from datetime import datetime
 from feedgenerator import Atom1Feed, Rss201rev2Feed
 from jinja2 import Markup
-from sigal import signals
+from sigal import signals, compat
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -72,7 +72,8 @@ def generate_feed(gallery, images, feed_type=None, feed_url='', nb_items=0):
 
     output_file = os.path.join(root_album.dst_path, feed_url.split('/')[-1])
     logger.info('Generate %s feeds: %s', feed_type.upper(), output_file)
-    with codecs.open(output_file, 'w', 'utf-8') as f:
+    encoding = 'utf-8' if not compat.PY2 else None
+    with codecs.open(output_file, 'w', encoding) as f:
         feed.write(f, 'utf-8')
 
 
diff --git a/tests/sample/pictures/dir1/test1/flickr_jerquiaga_2394751088_cc-by-nc.md b/tests/sample/pictures/dir1/test1/flickr_jerquiaga_2394751088_cc-by-nc.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d871335
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/sample/pictures/dir1/test1/flickr_jerquiaga_2394751088_cc-by-nc.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+Title: WÎth spécial chÆracters
+
+This is a funny description of this image
+