diff --git a/brain_brew/representation/generic/html_file.py b/brain_brew/representation/generic/html_file.py
index f9db114..7db12e3 100644
--- a/brain_brew/representation/generic/html_file.py
+++ b/brain_brew/representation/generic/html_file.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-import codecs
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 
 from brain_brew.representation.generic.source_file import SourceFile
@@ -19,7 +18,7 @@ def from_file_loc(cls, file_loc) -> 'HTMLFile':
         return cls(file_loc)
 
     def read_file(self):
-        r = codecs.open(self.file_location, 'r', encoding=_encoding)
+        r = open(self.file_location, 'r', encoding=_encoding)
         self._data = r.read()
 
     def get_data(self, deep_copy=False) -> str: