diff --git a/Lib/test/support/__init__.py b/Lib/test/support/__init__.py
index 253f319c136..d98068cac8a 100644
--- a/Lib/test/support/__init__.py
+++ b/Lib/test/support/__init__.py
@@ -698,7 +698,7 @@ def dec(*args, **kwargs):
         try:
             f(*args, **kwargs)
         except IOError as e:
-            if e.reason == "CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED":
+            if "CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED" in str(e):
                 raise unittest.SkipTest("system does not contain "
                                         "necessary certificates")
             raise