diff --git a/test/parallel/test-exception-handler.js b/test/parallel/test-exception-handler.js
index d163fb18916faa..e0e1b0086d9a7f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-exception-handler.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-exception-handler.js
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@ var MESSAGE = 'catch me if you can';
 
 process.on('uncaughtException', common.mustCall(function(e) {
   console.log('uncaught exception! 1');
-  assert.equal(MESSAGE, e.message);
+  assert.strictEqual(MESSAGE, e.message);
 }));
 
 process.on('uncaughtException', common.mustCall(function(e) {
   console.log('uncaught exception! 2');
-  assert.equal(MESSAGE, e.message);
+  assert.strictEqual(MESSAGE, e.message);
 }));
 
 setTimeout(function() {