diff --git a/conf.py b/conf.py
index d55c10c..ee342ff 100644
--- a/conf.py
+++ b/conf.py
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@ db_url = 'sqlite:///data'
 quit_allowed = True
 stop_allowed = False
 show_tracebacks = True
+input_encoding = 'utf8'
diff --git a/text_based.py b/text_based.py
index 085ad2f..f9826b2 100755
--- a/text_based.py
+++ b/text_based.py
@@ -116,7 +116,8 @@ class Menu():
 			prompt = self.prompt
 		while True:
 			try:
-				result = raw_input(safe_str(prompt))
+				result = unicode(raw_input(safe_str(prompt)),
+						 conf.input_encoding)
 			except EOFError:
 				print 'quit'
 				self.exit_menu()