diff --git a/src/perl/common/Settings.xs b/src/perl/common/Settings.xs
index 971b51ee..684b7718 100644
--- a/src/perl/common/Settings.xs
+++ b/src/perl/common/Settings.xs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "module.h"
 #include "misc.h"
+#include "recode.h"
 
 static GHashTable *perl_settings;
 
@@ -76,7 +77,8 @@ CODE:
 
 	str = settings_get_str(key);
 	RETVAL = new_pv(str);
-	SvUTF8_on(RETVAL);
+	if (is_utf8())
+		SvUTF8_on(RETVAL);
 OUTPUT:
 	RETVAL