diff --git a/R/kable_styling.R b/R/kable_styling.R
index 2a3248d..a33f820 100644
--- a/R/kable_styling.R
+++ b/R/kable_styling.R
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@
   repeat_header_method <- match.arg(repeat_header_method)
 
   out <- NULL
-  out <- as.character(kable_input)
+  out <- enc2utf8(as.character(kable_input))
   table_info <- magic_mirror(kable_input)
 
   if ("striped" %in% latex_options) {