diff --git a/molecule/config.py b/molecule/config.py
index 1deaa77ba..3a70f21c5 100644
--- a/molecule/config.py
+++ b/molecule/config.py
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ def _combine(self):
                                        os.environ)
 
         base = self._get_defaults()
-        with open(self.molecule_file, 'r') as stream:
+        with util.open_file(self.molecule_file) as stream:
             interpolated_config = i.interpolate(stream.read())
             base = self.merge_dicts(base, util.safe_load(interpolated_config))
 
diff --git a/molecule/provisioner/ansible/plugins/libraries/goss.py b/molecule/provisioner/ansible/plugins/libraries/goss.py
index 5ef1ae4eb..c4cc5360d 100644
--- a/molecule/provisioner/ansible/plugins/libraries/goss.py
+++ b/molecule/provisioner/ansible/plugins/libraries/goss.py
@@ -69,8 +69,7 @@ def check(module, test_file_path, output_format, goss_path):
 # write goss result to output_file_path
 def output_file(output_file_path, out):
     if output_file_path is not None:
-        with open(output_file_path, 'w') as output_file:
-            output_file.write(out)
+        util.write_file(output_file_path, output_file.write(out))
 
 
 def main():
diff --git a/test/unit/command/test_base.py b/test/unit/command/test_base.py
index 2597f8a6b..fee63264b 100644
--- a/test/unit/command/test_base.py
+++ b/test/unit/command/test_base.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def test_prune(base_instance):
 
     os.mkdir(baz_directory)
     for f in [foo_file, bar_file, state_file]:
-        open(f, 'a').close()
+        util.write_file(f, '')
 
     base_instance.prune()
 
diff --git a/test/unit/command/test_init.py b/test/unit/command/test_init.py
index 817a9e5ef..eda0b4731 100644
--- a/test/unit/command/test_init.py
+++ b/test/unit/command/test_init.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 
 import pytest
 
+from molecule import util
 from molecule.command import init
 
 
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ def test_process_templates(temp_dir):
     expected_file = os.path.join(temp_dir.strpath, repo_name, 'template.yml')
     expected_contents = '- value: foo'
 
-    with open(expected_file, 'r') as stream:
+    with util.open_file(expected_file) as stream:
         for line in stream.readlines():
             assert line.strip() in expected_contents
 
diff --git a/test/unit/lint/test_trailing.py b/test/unit/lint/test_trailing.py
index 8f3dc2687..2de2f5f16 100644
--- a/test/unit/lint/test_trailing.py
+++ b/test/unit/lint/test_trailing.py
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ def test_get_tests(trailing_instance):
             '.foo/foo.yml',
             '.bar/foo.yml',
     ]:
-        open(os.path.join(project_directory, f), 'a').close()
+        util.write_file(os.path.join(project_directory, f), '')
 
     # NOTE(retr0h): Unit tests add a molecule.yml automatically.
     assert 4 == len(trailing_instance._get_tests())
diff --git a/test/unit/test_util.py b/test/unit/test_util.py
index 6bcb57d7f..c9ecfccc7 100644
--- a/test/unit/test_util.py
+++ b/test/unit/test_util.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 from __future__ import print_function
 
 import binascii
+import io
 import os
 
 import colorama
@@ -168,7 +169,7 @@ def test_os_walk(temp_dir):
         scenario_directory = os.path.join(molecule_directory, scenario)
         molecule_file = pytest.helpers.get_molecule_file(scenario_directory)
         os.makedirs(scenario_directory)
-        open(molecule_file, 'a').close()
+        util.write_file(molecule_file, '')
 
     result = [f for f in util.os_walk(molecule_directory, 'molecule.yml')]
     assert 3 == len(result)
@@ -184,7 +185,7 @@ def test_write_file(temp_dir):
     dest_file = os.path.join(temp_dir.strpath, 'test_util_write_file.tmp')
     contents = binascii.b2a_hex(os.urandom(15)).decode()
     util.write_file(dest_file, contents)
-    with open(dest_file, 'r') as stream:
+    with util.open_file(dest_file) as stream:
         data = stream.read()
     x = '# Molecule managed\n\n{}'.format(contents)
 
@@ -217,7 +218,12 @@ def test_open_file(temp_dir):
     util.write_file(path, 'foo: bar')
 
     with util.open_file(path) as stream:
-        assert type(stream) is file
+        try:
+            file_types = (file, io.IOBase)
+        except NameError:
+            file_types = io.IOBase
+
+        assert isinstance(stream, file_types)
 
 
 def test_instance_with_scenario_name():