diff --git a/tests/dispatch/tests/test_dispatcher.py b/tests/dispatch/tests/test_dispatcher.py
index 2586aeee62..b5edf2867d 100644
--- a/tests/dispatch/tests/test_dispatcher.py
+++ b/tests/dispatch/tests/test_dispatcher.py
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ class DispatcherTests(unittest.TestCase):
         Make sure signal caching sender receivers don't prevent garbage
         collection of senders.
         """
-        class sender:
+        class sender(object):
             pass
         wref = weakref.ref(sender)
         d_signal.connect(receiver_1_arg)