1 files changed, 6 insertions, 3 deletions
diff --git a/cfgv.py b/cfgv.py
index 64c2380..f0b9eff 100644
--- a/cfgv.py
+++ b/cfgv.py
@@ -395,11 +395,14 @@ def load_from_filename(
         if not os.path.exists(filename):
             raise ValidationError(f'{filename} does not exist')
 
-        with open(filename, encoding='utf-8') as f:
-            contents = f.read()
-
         with validate_context(f'File {filename}'):
             try:
+                with open(filename, encoding='utf-8') as f:
+                    contents = f.read()
+            except UnicodeDecodeError as e:
+                raise ValidationError(str(e))
+
+            try:
                 data = load_strategy(contents)
             except Exception as e:
                 raise ValidationError(str(e))