diff --git a/Lib/distutils/command/install_data.py b/Lib/distutils/command/install_data.py
index 5c1f18a9f26..2fa0da29fe9 100644
--- a/Lib/distutils/command/install_data.py
+++ b/Lib/distutils/command/install_data.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class install_data (Command):
     def run (self):
         self.mkpath(self.install_dir)
         for f in self.data_files:
-            if type(f) == StringType:
+            if type(f) is StringType:
                 # it's a simple file, so copy it
                 f = convert_path(f)
                 if self.warn_dir: