diff --git a/.github/workflows/mysql-hxcpp.yaml b/.github/workflows/mysql-hxcpp.yaml
index 27d9f43..25009fa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mysql-hxcpp.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mysql-hxcpp.yaml
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ jobs:
       test-cpp:  tests/common.hxml --class-path tests
 
       before-tests: |
-        cat /etc/my.ini
         echo "MYSQL_HOST=localhost" >> $GITHUB_ENV
         echo "MYSQL_USER=root" >> $GITHUB_ENV
         echo "MYSQL_PASS=root" >> $GITHUB_ENV
@@ -33,6 +32,8 @@ jobs:
         # super hack for sys.db (will write externs eventually to update mysql client)
         sudo mysql --user=root --password=root --execute='ALTER USER "root"@"localhost" IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY "root";'
         sudo mysql --user=root --password=root --execute='flush privileges;'
+        sudo mysql --user=root --password=root --execute='SET NAMES "utf8";'
+        sudo mysql --user=root --password=root --execute='SET CHARACTER SET utf8;'
         
         sudo systemctl restart mysql.service