diff --git a/src/_pytest/_code/code.py b/src/_pytest/_code/code.py
index 8c73ccc6adc..1b6a765d0cd 100644
--- a/src/_pytest/_code/code.py
+++ b/src/_pytest/_code/code.py
@@ -572,6 +572,11 @@ def match(self, regexp):
         raised.
         """
         __tracebackhide__ = True
+        if isinstance(regexp, text_type):              
+            if not re.search(regexp, text_type(self.value)):
+                assert 0, u"Pattern '{!s}' not found in '{!s}'".format(regexp, self.value)
+            return True
+
         if not re.search(regexp, str(self.value)):
             assert 0, "Pattern '{!s}' not found in '{!s}'".format(regexp, self.value)
         return True