diff --git a/buildozer/targets/android.py b/buildozer/targets/android.py
index da697895d..20c645fc7 100644
--- a/buildozer/targets/android.py
+++ b/buildozer/targets/android.py
@@ -1376,11 +1376,7 @@ def _update_libraries_references(self, dist_dir):
 
         # recreate the project.properties
         with io.open(project_fn, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fd:
-
-            try:
-                fd.writelines((line.decode('utf-8') for line in content))
-            except UnicodeError:
-                fd.writelines(content)
+            fd.writelines(content)
             if content and not content[-1].endswith(u'\n'):
                 fd.write(u'\n')
             for index, ref in enumerate(references):