diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/import3DS.py b/src/Mod/Arch/import3DS.py
index 775bff26e8..0027c25c1b 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/import3DS.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/import3DS.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def open(filename):
     "called when freecad wants to open a file"
     if not check3DS():
         return
-    docname = (os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(filename))[0]).encode("utf8")
+    docname = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(filename))[0]
     doc = FreeCAD.newDocument(docname)
     doc.Label = docname
     FreeCAD.ActiveDocument = doc
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/importDAE.py b/src/Mod/Arch/importDAE.py
index 425f1d3540..5c5def7693 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/importDAE.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/importDAE.py
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ def open(filename):
 
     if not checkCollada():
         return
-    docname = (os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(filename))[0]).encode("utf8")
+    docname = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(filename))[0]
     doc = FreeCAD.newDocument(docname)
     doc.Label = docname
     FreeCAD.ActiveDocument = doc
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/importOBJ.py b/src/Mod/Arch/importOBJ.py
index 916465f552..1b2d60ea72 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/importOBJ.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/importOBJ.py
@@ -279,8 +279,8 @@ def export(exportList,filename,colors=None):
 
 def open(filename):
     "called when freecad wants to open a file"
-    docname = (os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(filename))[0])
-    doc = FreeCAD.newDocument(docname.encode("utf8"))
+    docname = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(filename))[0]
+    doc = FreeCAD.newDocument(docname)
     doc.Label = docname
     return insert(filename,doc.Name)
 
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/importSH3D.py b/src/Mod/Arch/importSH3D.py
index 18b0927f28..98f67998e7 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/importSH3D.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/importSH3D.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ if open.__module__ in ['__builtin__','io']:
 
 def open(filename):
     "called when freecad wants to open a file"
-    docname = (os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(filename))[0]).encode("utf8")
+    docname = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(filename))[0]
     doc = FreeCAD.newDocument(docname)
     doc.Label = docname
     FreeCAD.ActiveDocument = doc