diff --git a/Lib/test/test_rfc822.py b/Lib/test/test_rfc822.py
index de577da6360..d59e743e94b 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_rfc822.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_rfc822.py
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ def check(self, msg, results):
                 continue
             i = i + 1
             self.assertEqual(mn, n,
-                             "Un-expected name: %s != %s" % (`mn`, `n`))
+                             "Un-expected name: %r != %r" % (mn, n))
             self.assertEqual(ma, a,
-                             "Un-expected address: %s != %s" % (`ma`, `a`))
+                             "Un-expected address: %r != %r" % (ma, a))
             if mn == n and ma == a:
                 pass
             else: