diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index ce8cf45cf..670e20ac5 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ services:
   db:
     image: mariadb:10.11.7
     restart: "unless-stopped"
-    command: "mysqld --character-set-server=utf8 --collation-server=utf8_general_ci"
+    command: "mysqld --character-set-server=utf8mb4 --collation-server=utf8mb4_general_ci"
     healthcheck:
       test: "mysql --user=${OMRS_DB_USER:-openmrs} --password=${OMRS_DB_PASSWORD:-openmrs} --execute \"SHOW DATABASES;\""
       interval: 3s