diff --git a/frappe/core/doctype/file/file.py b/frappe/core/doctype/file/file.py
index 80a7d8dc0c..0c2ece6e88 100755
--- a/frappe/core/doctype/file/file.py
+++ b/frappe/core/doctype/file/file.py
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ class File(NestedSet):
 
 		if self.file_url.startswith("/files/"):
 			try:
-				with open(get_files_path(self.file_name.lstrip("/")), "r") as f:
+				with open(get_files_path(self.file_name.lstrip("/")), "rb") as f:
 					self.content_hash = get_content_hash(f.read())
 			except IOError:
 				frappe.msgprint(_("File {0} does not exist").format(self.file_url))