diff --git a/test/StringVar.py b/test/StringVar.py
index 0a02f48..d67a4a5 100644
--- a/test/StringVar.py
+++ b/test/StringVar.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 """Module for testing string variables."""
 
 class TestStringVar(BaseTestCase):
diff --git a/test/test.py b/test/test.py
index 4f5a95d..55dc273 100644
--- a/test/test.py
+++ b/test/test.py
@@ -91,7 +91,10 @@ for name in moduleNames:
     setattr(module, "TestCase", unittest.TestCase)
     setattr(module, "BaseTestCase", BaseTestCase)
     setattr(module, "cx_Oracle", cx_Oracle)
-    exec(open(fileName).read(), module.__dict__)
+    if sys.version_info[0] >= 3:
+        exec(open(fileName, encoding = "UTF-8").read(), module.__dict__)
+    else:
+        execfile(fileName, module.__dict__)
     tests = loader.loadTestsFromModule(module)
     result = runner.run(tests)
     if not result.wasSuccessful():