diff --git a/python/ycm/youcompleteme.py b/python/ycm/youcompleteme.py
index d9147686..895296dd 100644
--- a/python/ycm/youcompleteme.py
+++ b/python/ycm/youcompleteme.py
@@ -130,7 +130,8 @@ class YouCompleteMe( object ):
         if self._user_options[ 'server_keep_logfiles' ]:
           args.append('--keep_logfiles')
 
-      self._server_popen = utils.SafePopen( args, stdout = PIPE, stderr = PIPE)
+      self._server_popen = utils.SafePopen( args, stdin_windows = PIPE,
+                                            stdout = PIPE, stderr = PIPE)
       BaseRequest.server_location = 'http://127.0.0.1:' + str( server_port )
       BaseRequest.hmac_secret = hmac_secret