FailUnless Should Not Be Used In Python Unit Tests To Test Identity In unit test, use assertEqual, so we see the difference in traceback Good Example: self.assertEqual(self.getSimulationState(), "draft") self.assertNotEqual(self.getSimulationState(), "delivered") Bad Example: self.failUnless(self.getSimulationState() == "draft") self.failUnless(self.getSimulationState() != "delivered")