diff --git a/development.ini b/development.ini
--- a/development.ini
+++ b/development.ini
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ sqlalchemy.db1.url = sqlite:///%(here)s/
 #sqlalchemy.db1.url = postgresql://user:pass@localhost/kallithea
 
 # MySQL
-#sqlalchemy.db1.url = mysql://user:pass@localhost/kallithea
+#sqlalchemy.db1.url = mysql://user:pass@localhost/kallithea?charset=utf8
 
 # see sqlalchemy docs for others