diff --git a/format/desktop_entry/scan.ha b/format/desktop_entry/scan.ha
index b82effe..c6b1876 100644
--- a/format/desktop_entry/scan.ha
+++ b/format/desktop_entry/scan.ha
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ fn parse_entry(line: str) (entry | error) = {
 		case locale::invalid           => return invalid_entry;
 		};
 	};
+	local.encoding = "";
 
 	validate_entry_key(key)?;
 	return entry {