diff --git a/Lib/test/test___future__.py b/Lib/test/test___future__.py
index a8c7c2e881a..1d8f8e68525 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test___future__.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test___future__.py
@@ -53,9 +53,12 @@ class FutureTest(unittest.TestCase):
 
             a(hasattr(value, "compiler_flag"),
                    "feature is missing a .compiler_flag attr")
+            # Make sure the compile accepts the flag.
+            compile("", "<test>", "exec", value.compiler_flag)
             a(isinstance(getattr(value, "compiler_flag"), int),
                    ".compiler_flag isn't int")
 
+
 def test_main():
     test_support.run_unittest(FutureTest)