diff --git a/oxm/src/main/java/org/springframework/oxm/jibx/JibxMarshaller.java b/oxm/src/main/java/org/springframework/oxm/jibx/JibxMarshaller.java
index 9d68d3a2..513e72cc 100644
--- a/oxm/src/main/java/org/springframework/oxm/jibx/JibxMarshaller.java
+++ b/oxm/src/main/java/org/springframework/oxm/jibx/JibxMarshaller.java
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public class JibxMarshaller extends AbstractMarshaller implements InitializingBe
 
     private int indent = -1;
 
-    private String encoding;
+    private String encoding = "UTF-8";
 
     private Boolean standalone;