diff --git a/Lib/test/test_gdb/test_pretty_print.py b/Lib/test/test_gdb/test_pretty_print.py
index dfc77d65ab16a40..b110db03b56a1f0 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_gdb/test_pretty_print.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_gdb/test_pretty_print.py
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ def test_strings(self):
             'python import locale; print(locale.getpreferredencoding())')
 
         encoding = stdout
-        if stderr or not encoding:
+        if not encoding:
             raise RuntimeError(
                 f'unable to determine the Python locale preferred encoding '
                 f'of embedded Python in GDB\n'