diff --git a/enetcomponents/client.py b/enetcomponents/client.py
index f44beea..d5f078b 100644
--- a/enetcomponents/client.py
+++ b/enetcomponents/client.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class client(object):
 					self.disconnected(event.peer)
 			elif event.type == enet.EVENT_TYPE_RECEIVE:
 				data = event.packet.data
-				data_dict = json.loads(data, encoding="utf-8")
+				data_dict = json.loads(data)
 				self.network(event, data_dict)
 			time.sleep(0.001)
 
diff --git a/enetcomponents/server.py b/enetcomponents/server.py
index e2b42b1..586636f 100644
--- a/enetcomponents/server.py
+++ b/enetcomponents/server.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class server(object):
 					print("Error receiving packet for invalid channel: %r" % (event.data))
 					return
 				data = event.packet.data
-				data_dict = json.loads(data, encoding="utf-8")
+				data_dict = json.loads(data)
 				channel_object.network(event, data_dict)
 			time.sleep(0.0001)