diff --git a/chirp/drivers/generic_csv.py b/chirp/drivers/generic_csv.py
index 1d5cf4fe4..92eb071b1 100644
--- a/chirp/drivers/generic_csv.py
+++ b/chirp/drivers/generic_csv.py
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ def load(self, filename=None):
 
         self._blank()
 
-        with open(self._filename, newline='', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+        with open(self._filename, newline='', encoding='utf-8-sig') as f:
             return self._load(f)
 
     def _load(self, f):
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_csv.py b/tests/unit/test_csv.py
index c854e578a..68bbcb957 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_csv.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_csv.py
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ def test_parse_legacy(self):
         self.assertEqual('NFM', mem.mode)
         self.assertEqual(12.5, mem.tuning_step)
 
-    def test_parse_modern(self):
-        with open(self.testfn, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+    def test_parse_modern(self, output_encoding='utf-8'):
+        with open(self.testfn, 'w', encoding=output_encoding) as f:
             f.write(CHIRP_CSV_MODERN)
         csv = generic_csv.CSVRadio(self.testfn)
         mem = csv.get_memory(1)
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ def test_parse_modern(self):
         self.assertEqual('5.0W', str(mem.power))
         self.assertIn('UHF calling', mem.comment)
 
+    def test_parse_modern_bom(self):
+        self.test_parse_modern(output_encoding='utf-8-sig')
+
     def test_parse_minimal(self):
         with open(self.testfn, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f:
             f.write(CHIRP_CSV_MINIMAL)