diff --git a/src/mapserver/qgis_map_serv.cpp b/src/mapserver/qgis_map_serv.cpp
index 6be6e19d819..4196491e210 100644
--- a/src/mapserver/qgis_map_serv.cpp
+++ b/src/mapserver/qgis_map_serv.cpp
@@ -164,6 +164,8 @@ int main( int argc, char * argv[] )
   }
 #endif
 
+  QDomImplementation::setInvalidDataPolicy( QDomImplementation::DropInvalidChars );
+
   // Instantiate the plugin directory so that providers are loaded
   QgsProviderRegistry::instance( QgsApplication::pluginPath() );
   QgsDebugMsg( "Prefix  PATH: " + QgsApplication::prefixPath() );