diff --git a/test/lit.cfg b/test/lit.cfg
index ec17c294d3a..59d6aa29909 100644
--- a/test/lit.cfg
+++ b/test/lit.cfg
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ def have_ld_plugin_support():
         return False
 
     ld_version = subprocess.Popen(['ld', '--version'], stdout = subprocess.PIPE)
-    if not 'GNU gold' in ld_version.stdout.read():
+    if not 'GNU gold' in ld_version.stdout.read().decode():
         return False
     ld_version.wait()