diff --git a/profiles/matrix.nix b/profiles/matrix.nix
index eb62190..16727af 100644
--- a/profiles/matrix.nix
+++ b/profiles/matrix.nix
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@
 
   i18n = {
     extraLocaleSettings = {
-      LC_COLLATE = "C"; # Ensure correct locale for postgres
-      LC_CTYPE = "C"; # Ensure correct locale for postgres
+      LC_COLLATE = "C.UTF-8"; # Ensure correct locale for postgres
+      LC_CTYPE = "C.UTF-8"; # Ensure correct locale for postgres
     };
   };
 
@@ -141,8 +141,8 @@
         CREATE ROLE "matrix-synapse" WITH LOGIN PASSWORD 'synapse';
         CREATE DATABASE "matrix-synapse" WITH OWNER "matrix-synapse"
           TEMPLATE template0
-          LC_COLLATE = "C"
-          LC_CTYPE = "C";
+          LC_COLLATE = "C.UTF-8"
+          LC_CTYPE = "C.UTF-8";
       '';
     };
   };