diff --git a/Lib/test/test_readline.py b/Lib/test/test_readline.py
index 804887afadc..90dcdf21ee6 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_readline.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_readline.py
@@ -17,9 +17,9 @@ class TestHistoryManipulation (unittest.TestCase):
     why the tests cover only a small subset of the interface.
     """
 
-    @unittest.skipIf(not hasattr(readline, 'clear_history'),
-                     "The history update test cannot be run because the "
-                     "clear_history method is not available.")
+    @unittest.skipUnless(hasattr(readline, "clear_history"),
+                         "The history update test cannot be run because the "
+                         "clear_history method is not available.")
     def testHistoryUpdates(self):
         readline.clear_history()