diff --git a/Lib/re.py b/Lib/re.py
index d1df766500a..5c8827aa22e 100644
--- a/Lib/re.py
+++ b/Lib/re.py
@@ -1504,5 +1504,5 @@ def compile(pattern, flags=0):
 
 # Replace expand_escape and _expand functions with their C equivalents.
 # If you suspect bugs in the C versions, comment out the next two lines
-expand_escape = reop.expand_escape
-_expand  = reop._expand
+##expand_escape = reop.expand_escape
+##_expand  = reop._expand