diff --git a/Rakefile b/Rakefile
index a55ab7f0..b14a0d15 100644
--- a/Rakefile
+++ b/Rakefile
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ if defined?(Gem)
   end
 
   task 'release' => ['test', package('.gem')] do
-    if File.read("CHANGES") =~ /= \d\.\d\.\d . not yet released$/i
+    if File.binread("CHANGES") =~ /= \d\.\d\.\d . not yet released$/i
       fail 'please update changes first'
     end