diff --git a/cdci_data_analysis/analysis/job_manager.py b/cdci_data_analysis/analysis/job_manager.py
index 46c030786..cba56853b 100644
--- a/cdci_data_analysis/analysis/job_manager.py
+++ b/cdci_data_analysis/analysis/job_manager.py
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ def updated_dataserver_monitor(self,work_dir=None):
             try:
                 with open(job_file, 'r') as infile:
                     try:
-                        self.monitor = json.load(infile, encoding='utf-8')
+                        self.monitor = json.load(infile)
                     except Exception as e:
                         # happens in py3.9 at least
                         infile.seek(0)