diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index f25e1c35..f25bf719 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ Red Panda C++ Version 0.14.2
   - enhancement: file system view mode for project
   - enhancement: remove / rename / create new folder in the files view
   - fix: crash when there are catch blocks in the upper most scope
+  - fix: can't read project templates when path has non-ascii chars
 
 Red Panda C++ Version 0.14.1
   - enhancement: custom theme
diff --git a/RedPandaIDE/projecttemplate.cpp b/RedPandaIDE/projecttemplate.cpp
index b8cf3db0..88e53105 100644
--- a/RedPandaIDE/projecttemplate.cpp
+++ b/RedPandaIDE/projecttemplate.cpp
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ void ProjectTemplate::readTemplateFile(const QString &fileName)
     if (QFile(fileName).exists()) {
         mFileName = fileName;
         mIni = std::make_shared<SimpleIni>();
-        if (mIni->LoadFile(toByteArray(mFileName)) != SI_OK) {
+        if (mIni->LoadFile(mFileName.toLocal8Bit()) != SI_OK) {
             QMessageBox::critical(pMainWindow,
                                   tr("Read failed."),
                                   tr("Can't read template file '%1'.").arg(fileName),