diff --git a/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt b/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt
index 781be057b..4dc7038de 100644
--- a/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
  - fixed: Gallery image information now does not overlap the snapshot.  Changed css .wgSnapshot to be 25% vs 20%.  
  - fixed: ITransact now defaults to using shipping address for billing address. This prevents an
    issue when users neglect to select a proper billing address.
+ - fixed: Thingy: System tables created for new things are not forced to use
+   charset=utf8
 
 7.5.19
  - fixed: paginator doesn't show correct number of page links with a limit applied
diff --git a/lib/WebGUI/Asset/Wobject/Thingy.pm b/lib/WebGUI/Asset/Wobject/Thingy.pm
index 14ef37ddb..e5e46aed2 100644
--- a/lib/WebGUI/Asset/Wobject/Thingy.pm
+++ b/lib/WebGUI/Asset/Wobject/Thingy.pm
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ sub addThing {
         lastUpdated int not null,
         ipAddress varchar(255),
         primary key (thingDataId)
-    )");
+    ) ENGINE=MyISAM DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8");
     
     return $newThingId;
 }