diff --git a/aider/linter.py b/aider/linter.py
index 0e5570a43..2b663d737 100644
--- a/aider/linter.py
+++ b/aider/linter.py
@@ -44,10 +44,11 @@ class Linter:
         cmd = cmd.split()
 
         process = subprocess.Popen(
-            cmd, cwd=self.root, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.STDOUT
+            cmd, cwd=self.root, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
+            encoding=self.encoding
         )
         stdout, _ = process.communicate()
-        errors = stdout.decode()
+        errors = stdout
         if process.returncode == 0:
             return  # zero exit status
 
@@ -140,6 +141,7 @@ class Linter:
                 capture_output=True,
                 text=True,
                 check=False,
+                encoding=self.encoding
             )
             errors = result.stdout + result.stderr
         except Exception as e: