diff --git a/GraphicsMagick.spec b/GraphicsMagick.spec
index 5db2f39..e3c5b16 100644
--- a/GraphicsMagick.spec
+++ b/GraphicsMagick.spec
@@ -172,6 +172,13 @@ sed -i.rpath -e 's|"/lib /usr/lib|"/%{_lib} %{_libdir}|' configure
 
 
 %build
+
+## hopefully, temporary workaround for freetype bug,
+## https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1651788
+%if 0%{?rhel} == 7
+CFLAGS="$RPM_OPT_FLAGS -DFT_ENCODING_PRC=FT_ENCODING_GB2312"
+%endif
+
 %configure --enable-shared --disable-static \
            --docdir=%{_pkgdocdir} \
            --with-lcms2 \