diff --git a/alxcheck/checks/general.py b/alxcheck/checks/general.py
index 78d4fca..6416444 100644
--- a/alxcheck/checks/general.py
+++ b/alxcheck/checks/general.py
@@ -19,5 +19,5 @@ def check_file_ends_with_new_line(file_path):
     if not check_file_not_empty(file_path):
         return False
 
-    with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
-        return f.readlines()[-1] == b"\n"
+    with open(file_path, "r") as f:
+        return f.readlines()[-1][-1] == "\n"