diff --git a/qutebrowser/__init__.py b/qutebrowser/__init__.py
index ab8cbc22e..73c64cca7 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/__init__.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/__init__.py
@@ -31,5 +31,9 @@ Subpackages:
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with qutebrowser.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+import os.path
+
 __version_info__ = (0, 0, 0)
 __version__ = '.'.join(map(str, __version_info__))
+
+basedir = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
diff --git a/qutebrowser/utils/misc.py b/qutebrowser/utils/misc.py
index 948dfe4f0..86c1efc76 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/utils/misc.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/utils/misc.py
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     from pdb import set_trace as pdb_set_trace
 
+import qutebrowser
+
 
 def set_trace():
     """
@@ -45,8 +47,6 @@ def set_trace():
 
 def read_file(filename):
     """Return the contents of a file contained with qutebrowser."""
-    fn = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)),
-                      os.path.pardir, filename)
-    with open(fn, 'r') as f:
-        # FIXME is there a nicer way?
-        return '\n'.join(f.readlines())
+    fn = os.path.join(qutebrowser.basedir, filename)
+    with open(fn, 'r', encoding='UTF-8') as f:
+        return f.read()