diff --git a/pubs/content.py b/pubs/content.py
index 63c27aa..b776028 100644
--- a/pubs/content.py
+++ b/pubs/content.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import sys
 import os
 import io
 import shutil
@@ -47,12 +48,11 @@ def system_path(path):
 
 
 def _open(path, mode):
-    if 'b' in mode:
+    if 'b' in mode or sys.version_info < (3,):
         return open(system_path(path), mode)
     else:
         return open(system_path(path), mode, encoding='utf-8')
 
-
 def check_file(path, fail=True):
     syspath = system_path(path)
     return (_check_system_path_exists(syspath, fail=fail)