diff --git a/mypy/semanal.py b/mypy/semanal.py
index 1c87d9721f429..c6e3655331cde 100644
--- a/mypy/semanal.py
+++ b/mypy/semanal.py
@@ -3111,7 +3111,7 @@ def process_typevar_parameters(self, args: List[Expression],
         contravariant = False
         upper_bound: Type = self.object_type()
         for param_value, param_name, param_kind in zip(args, names, kinds):
-            if not param_kind == ARG_NAMED:
+            if not param_kind.is_named():
                 self.fail("Unexpected argument to TypeVar()", context)
                 return None
             if param_name == 'covariant':