diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_lti_integration.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_lti_integration.py
index f98a1d4352..7baeb6e892 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_lti_integration.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_lti_integration.py
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ class TestLTI(BaseTestXmodule):
     def test_lti_preview_handler(self):
         generated_content = self.item_descriptor.preview_handler(None, None).body
         expected_content = self.runtime.render_template('lti_form.html', self.expected_context)
-        self.assertEqual(generated_content, expected_content)
+        self.assertEqual(generated_content.decode('utf-8'), expected_content)
 
 
 class TestLTIModuleListing(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):