diff --git a/test/units/plugins/action/test_action.py b/test/units/plugins/action/test_action.py
index 360e066bfeb..7fe216b5990 100644
--- a/test/units/plugins/action/test_action.py
+++ b/test/units/plugins/action/test_action.py
@@ -240,8 +240,8 @@ class TestActionBase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(action_base._transfer_data('/path/to/remote/file', 'some data'), '/path/to/remote/file')
         self.assertEqual(action_base._transfer_data('/path/to/remote/file', 'some mixed data: fö〩'), '/path/to/remote/file')
-        self.assertEqual(action_base._transfer_data('/path/to/remote/file', dict(some_key='some value')), '/path/to/remote/file')
-        self.assertEqual(action_base._transfer_data('/path/to/remote/file', dict(some_key='fö〩')), '/path/to/remote/file')
+        self.assertEqual(action_base._transfer_data('/path/to/remote/file', dict(some_key=u'some value')), '/path/to/remote/file')
+        self.assertEqual(action_base._transfer_data('/path/to/remote/file', dict(some_key=u'fö〩')), '/path/to/remote/file')
 
         mock_afo.write.side_effect = Exception()
         self.assertRaises(AnsibleError, action_base._transfer_data, '/path/to/remote/file', '')