diff --git a/altair/utils/html.py b/altair/utils/html.py
index ea5269034..48c79af9d 100644
--- a/altair/utils/html.py
+++ b/altair/utils/html.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 <!DOCTYPE html>
 <html>
 <head>
+  <meta charset="UTF-8">
 {%- endif %}
   <style>
     #{{ output_div }}.vega-embed {
@@ -208,6 +209,7 @@
 <!DOCTYPE html>
 <html>
 <head>
+  <meta charset="UTF-8">
   <style>
     #{{ output_div }}.vega-embed {
       width: 100%;
