diff --git a/Lib/test/test_venv.py b/Lib/test/test_venv.py
index 63cc4b743862bc..f410ce7198dc86 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_venv.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_venv.py
@@ -273,7 +273,8 @@ def test_prefixes(self):
             ('base_exec_prefix', sys.base_exec_prefix)):
             cmd[2] = 'import sys; print(sys.%s)' % prefix
             out, err = check_output(cmd)
-            self.assertEqual(out.strip(), expected.encode(), prefix)
+            self.assertEqual(pathlib.Path(out.strip().decode()),
+                             pathlib.Path(expected), prefix)
 
     @requireVenvCreate
     def test_sysconfig(self):