diff --git a/Lib/test/test_pow.py b/Lib/test/test_pow.py
index f1e51792af6..bccd207fc7f 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_pow.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_pow.py
@@ -32,9 +32,7 @@ def powtest(type):
                     try:
                         pow(ii, jj)
                     except ValueError:
-                        pass # taking an int to a neg int power should fail
-                    else:
-                        raise ValueError, "pow(%s, %s) did not fail" % (ii, jj)
+                        raise ValueError, "pow(%s, %s) failed" % (ii, jj)
 
     for othertype in int, long, float:
         for i in range(1, 100):