diff --git a/kimai/docker-compose.yaml b/kimai/docker-compose.yaml
index 134ef72..9c7e462 100644
--- a/kimai/docker-compose.yaml
+++ b/kimai/docker-compose.yaml
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ services:
     environment:
       ADMINMAIL: ${ADMIN_USER}
       ADMINPASS: ${ADMIN_PASS}
-      DATABASE_URL: mysql://${DB_USER}:${DB_PASS}@kimai-db/${DB_NAME}
+      DATABASE_URL: mysql://${DB_USER}:${DB_PASS}@kimai-db/${DB_NAME}?charset=utf8&serverVersion=8.1.0
       TRUSTED_HOSTS: kimai.lan,kimai-web,localhost,127.0.0.1
       APP_SECRET: ${APP_SECRET}
     depends_on: