diff --git a/Lib/test/test_gdb/test_pretty_print.py b/Lib/test/test_gdb/test_pretty_print.py
index 563379c63b68902..41043d77bd4b149 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_gdb/test_pretty_print.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_gdb/test_pretty_print.py
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def test_strings(self):
             'python import gdb; print(gdb.host_charset())')
 
         encoding = stdout.strip()
-        if stderr or not encoding:
+        if not encoding:
             raise RuntimeError(
                 f'unable to determine the host charset of gdb\n'
                 f'stdout={stdout!r}\n'