diff --git a/code/nelns/login_service/mysql_helper.cpp b/code/nelns/login_service/mysql_helper.cpp
index 208faf41e..5ae04e8b5 100644
--- a/code/nelns/login_service/mysql_helper.cpp
+++ b/code/nelns/login_service/mysql_helper.cpp
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ static void cbDatabaseVar(CConfigFile::CVar &var)
 #endif
 
 
-	sqlQuery("set names utf8");
+	sqlQuery("set names utf8mb4");
 }
 
 void sqlInit()