diff --git a/lib/ruby_gntp.rb b/lib/ruby_gntp.rb
index 12a9225..5a8af7f 100755
--- a/lib/ruby_gntp.rb
+++ b/lib/ruby_gntp.rb
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ def get_gntp_header_start(type)
   #
   def handle_icon(icon, type)
     if File.exists?(icon) && @target_host != 'localhost'
-      file = File.new(icon)
+      file = File.new(icon, 'rb')
       data = file.read
       size = data.length
       if size > 0