diff --git a/src/m64py/core/core.py b/src/m64py/core/core.py
index b5207eb..4ebc9bd 100644
--- a/src/m64py/core/core.py
+++ b/src/m64py/core/core.py
@@ -230,6 +230,8 @@ class Core:
                     plugin_handle, plugin_path, PLUGIN_NAME[plugin_type], plugin_desc, plugin_version)
         except OSError as e:
             log.debug("plugin_load_try()")
+            plugin_path = plugin_path.decode('ascii', 'ignore')
+            plugin_path = plugin_path.encode('ascii')
             log.error("failed to load plugin %s: %s" % (plugin_path, e))
 
     def plugin_startup(self, handle, name, desc):