diff --git a/source/_addons/mariadb.markdown b/source/_addons/mariadb.markdown
index 7aa57b5a8ae..1ff9d87095b 100644
--- a/source/_addons/mariadb.markdown
+++ b/source/_addons/mariadb.markdown
@@ -83,5 +83,5 @@ Use the following configuration in Home Assistant to use the database above:
 
 ```yaml
 recorder:
-  db_url: mysql://hass:securePassword@core-mariadb/homeassistant
+  db_url: mysql://hass:securePassword@core-mariadb/homeassistant?charset=utf8
 ```