diff --git a/files.lisp b/files.lisp
index 0902015..3a40611 100644
--- a/files.lisp
+++ b/files.lisp
@@ -68,8 +68,8 @@
;; Temporary files
-(defun open-temporary-file (&key (element-type 'base-char)
- (external-format :default)
+(defun open-temporary-file (&key (element-type 'character)
+ (external-format :utf-8)
(prefix "/tmp/.tmp"))
(let ((template (merge-pathnames
(pathname (format nil "~A.XXXXXXXXXXXX" prefix)))))