diff --git a/python/samba/schema.py b/python/samba/schema.py
index 6f71dd8fa40..6aa0ddbe05c 100644
--- a/python/samba/schema.py
+++ b/python/samba/schema.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from samba.dcerpc import security
 from samba.ms_schema import read_ms_schema
 from samba.ndr import ndr_pack
 from samba.samdb import SamDB
+from samba.compat import get_string
 from samba import dsdb
 from ldb import SCOPE_SUBTREE, SCOPE_ONELEVEL
 import os
@@ -112,7 +113,8 @@ class Schema(object):
 
         if files is not None:
             for file in files:
-                self.schema_data += open(file, 'rb').read()
+                data = get_string(open(file, 'rb').read())
+                self.schema_data += data
 
         self.schema_data = substitute_var(self.schema_data,
                                           {"SCHEMADN": schemadn})