diff --git a/tests/staticfiles_tests/tests.py b/tests/staticfiles_tests/tests.py
index 9cfabecbb2..92f36f637a 100644
--- a/tests/staticfiles_tests/tests.py
+++ b/tests/staticfiles_tests/tests.py
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ class TestCollectionClear(CollectionTestCase):
         self.assertFileNotFound('cleared.txt')
 
     def test_dir_not_exists(self, **kwargs):
-        shutil.rmtree(settings.STATIC_ROOT)
+        shutil.rmtree(six.text_type(settings.STATIC_ROOT))
         super(TestCollectionClear, self).run_collectstatic(clear=True)