diff --git a/R/add_header_above.R b/R/add_header_above.R
index 95e587d..e716b69 100644
--- a/R/add_header_above.R
+++ b/R/add_header_above.R
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@
   new_header <- paste0(new_header_split[1], "\n", new_header_split[2])
   out <- sub(hline_type,
              paste0(hline_type, "\n", new_header),
-             as.character(kable_input))
+             enc2utf8(as.character(kable_input)))
   out <- structure(out, format = "latex", class = "knitr_kable")
   # new_header_row <- latex_contents_escape(new_header_split[1])
   if (is.null(table_info$new_header_row)) {