diff --git a/mercurial/url.py b/mercurial/url.py
--- a/mercurial/url.py
+++ b/mercurial/url.py
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ def _gen_sendfile(orgsend):
     return _sendfile
 
 
-has_https = util.safehasattr(urlreq, b'httpshandler')
+has_https = util.safehasattr(urlreq, 'httpshandler')
 
 
 class httpconnection(keepalive.HTTPConnection):