diff --git a/distutils/util.py b/distutils/util.py
index 5408b160..aa0c90cf 100644
--- a/distutils/util.py
+++ b/distutils/util.py
@@ -423,9 +423,9 @@ def byte_compile(  # noqa: C901
         log.info("writing byte-compilation script '%s'", script_name)
         if not dry_run:
             if script_fd is not None:
-                script = os.fdopen(script_fd, "w")
+                script = os.fdopen(script_fd, "w", encoding='utf-8')
             else:
-                script = open(script_name, "w")
+                script = open(script_name, "w", encoding='utf-8')
 
             with script:
                 script.write(