diff --git a/py/test/outcome.py b/py/test/outcome.py
index 486064a5e..e67165fe2 100644
--- a/py/test/outcome.py
+++ b/py/test/outcome.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ class Outcome:
 
     def __repr__(self):
         if self.msg: 
-            return self.msg 
+            return repr(self.msg) 
         return "<%s instance>" %(self.__class__.__name__,)
     __str__ = __repr__