diff --git a/examples/echobot.py b/examples/echobot.py
index fc386982a..9455d7d8f 100644
--- a/examples/echobot.py
+++ b/examples/echobot.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def echo():
         if LAST_UPDATE_ID < update.update_id:
             # chat_id is required to reply any message
             chat_id = update.message.chat_id
-            message = update.message.text
+            message = update.message.text.encode('utf-8')
 
             if (message):
                 # Reply the message