diff --git a/debian/chrono.service b/debian/chrono.service
index 9361fd41..142d5982 100644
--- a/debian/chrono.service
+++ b/debian/chrono.service
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ Wants=postgresql.service
 
 [Service]
 Environment=CHRONO_SETTINGS_FILE=/usr/lib/%p/debian_config.py
+Environment=LANG=C.UTF-8
 User=%p
 Group=%p
 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/chrono-manage migrate_schemas --noinput