diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/tests/test_models.py b/common/djangoapps/student/tests/test_models.py
index ae597d9262..d57c5a2286 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/tests/test_models.py
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ class CourseEnrollmentTests(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
         expected = '{username}&{course_id}={mode}'.format(
             username=self.user.username, course_id=str(course_id).lower(), mode=enrollment_mode.lower()
         )
-        expected = hashlib.md5(expected).hexdigest()
+        expected = hashlib.md5(expected.encode('utf-8')).hexdigest()
         self.assertEqual(CourseEnrollment.generate_enrollment_status_hash(self.user), expected)
         self.assert_enrollment_status_hash_cached(self.user, expected)
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class CourseEnrollmentTests(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
         hash_elements += [
             '{course_id}={mode}'.format(course_id=str(enrollment.course_id).lower(), mode=enrollment.mode.lower()) for
             enrollment in enrollments]
-        expected = hashlib.md5('&'.join(hash_elements)).hexdigest()
+        expected = hashlib.md5('&'.join(hash_elements).encode('utf-8')).hexdigest()
         self.assertEqual(CourseEnrollment.generate_enrollment_status_hash(self.user), expected)
         self.assert_enrollment_status_hash_cached(self.user, expected)