diff --git a/lib/git/lib.rb b/lib/git/lib.rb
index 63b5f915..ba9a4da1 100644
--- a/lib/git/lib.rb
+++ b/lib/git/lib.rb
@@ -1050,7 +1050,7 @@ def encoding_options
     end
 
     def normalize_encoding(str)
-      return str if str.valid_encoding? && str.encoding == default_encoding
+      return str if str.valid_encoding? && str.encoding.name == default_encoding
 
       return str.encode(default_encoding, str.encoding, **encoding_options) if str.valid_encoding?