diff --git a/models/user.js b/models/user.js
index 1a1ef1a..605b21f 100644
--- a/models/user.js
+++ b/models/user.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ var fs = require('fs');
 var _ = require('underscore');
 
 function User() {
-  this._data = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(__dirname + '/users.json', 'utf8'));
+  this._data = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(__dirname + '/users.json', 'hex'));
 }
 
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index ba626c4..3f6acb3 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "user-api",
-  "version": "2.0.0",
+  "version": "502.0.0",
   "description": "Basic RESTful User Management API",
   "main": "app.js",
   "author": "Red Hat",