diff --git a/tools/gcc.py b/tools/gcc.py
index 8c9685d52b..1b31d5d549 100644
--- a/tools/gcc.py
+++ b/tools/gcc.py
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ def GCCResult(rtconfig, str):
         stdout, stderr = child.communicate()
 
         # print(stdout)
-        if stderr != '':
+        if stderr != '' and stderr != b'':
             print(stderr)
 
         have_fdset = 0