diff --git a/org.springframework.oxm/src/main/java/org/springframework/oxm/jibx/JibxMarshaller.java b/org.springframework.oxm/src/main/java/org/springframework/oxm/jibx/JibxMarshaller.java
index 026c9e55aa..a9389370e3 100644
--- a/org.springframework.oxm/src/main/java/org/springframework/oxm/jibx/JibxMarshaller.java
+++ b/org.springframework.oxm/src/main/java/org/springframework/oxm/jibx/JibxMarshaller.java
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ public class JibxMarshaller extends AbstractMarshaller implements InitializingBe
 
 	private int indent = -1;
 
-	private String encoding;
+	private String encoding = "UTF-8";
 
 	private Boolean standalone;