diff --git a/docker/.env.example b/docker/.env.example
index a66850fd..40120c86 100644
--- a/docker/.env.example
+++ b/docker/.env.example
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ AA_DB_NAME=alliance_auth
 AA_DB_USER=aauth
 AA_DB_PASSWORD=%AA_DB_PASSWORD%
 AA_DB_ROOT_PASSWORD=%AA_DB_ROOT_PASSWORD%
+AA_DB_CHARSET=utf8mb4
 AA_EMAIL_HOST=''
 AA_EMAIL_PORT=587
 AA_EMAIL_HOST_USER=''
diff --git a/docker/conf/local.py b/docker/conf/local.py
index 2d14eeac..c1b3c646 100644
--- a/docker/conf/local.py
+++ b/docker/conf/local.py
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ DATABASES["default"] = {
     "PASSWORD": os.environ.get("AA_DB_PASSWORD"),
     "HOST": os.environ.get("AA_DB_HOST"),
     "PORT": os.environ.get("AA_DB_PORT", "3306"),
+    "OPTIONS": {
+        "charset": os.environ.get("AA_DB_CHARSET", "utf8mb4")
+    }
 }
 
 # Register an application at https://developers.eveonline.com for Authentication