diff --git a/src/backend/InvenTree/importer/operations.py b/src/backend/InvenTree/importer/operations.py
index fec9cc1567..a1e1e89f2d 100644
--- a/src/backend/InvenTree/importer/operations.py
+++ b/src/backend/InvenTree/importer/operations.py
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ def load_data_file(data_file, file_format=None):
     file_object = data_file.file
 
     if hasattr(file_object, 'open'):
-        file_object.open('r')
+        file_object.open(
+            'rb'
+        )  # opens the file in binary mode so other storage backends work
 
     file_object.seek(0)