diff --git a/locale/msgfmt.py b/locale/msgfmt.py
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 97d7640a2..e133392e4
--- a/locale/msgfmt.py
+++ b/locale/msgfmt.py
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ def main():
         print('No output file given', file=sys.stderr)
         sys.exit(1)
 
-    with open(opts[0][1], "w") as mo:
+    with open(opts[0][1], "wb") as mo:
         mo.write(Msgfmt(args[0]).get())
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':