diff --git a/blobs/howto/python/python-v12/crud_datalake.py b/blobs/howto/python/python-v12/crud_datalake.py
index ba94ab51..43a94874 100644
--- a/blobs/howto/python/python-v12/crud_datalake.py
+++ b/blobs/howto/python/python-v12/crud_datalake.py
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ def upload_file_to_directory():
         directory_client = file_system_client.get_directory_client("my-directory")
         
         file_client = directory_client.create_file("uploaded-file.txt")
-        local_file = open("C:\\file-to-upload.txt",'r')
+        local_file = open("C:\\file-to-upload.txt",'rb')
 
         file_contents = local_file.read()