diff --git a/lib/public/directory.html b/lib/public/directory.html
index 60822e95b..2d6370421 100644
--- a/lib/public/directory.html
+++ b/lib/public/directory.html
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 <!DOCTYPE html>
 <html>
   <head>
+    <meta charset='utf-8'> 
     <title>listing directory {directory}</title>
     <style>{style}</style>
     <script>
diff --git a/lib/public/error.html b/lib/public/error.html
index c5ae73a01..a6d3fafd8 100644
--- a/lib/public/error.html
+++ b/lib/public/error.html
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 <html>
   <head>
+    <meta charset='utf-8'> 
     <title>{error}</title>
     <style>{style}</style>
   </head>
