diff --git a/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/nonpkg.py b/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/nonpkg.py
index acf0aedbd..dc910b846 100644
--- a/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/nonpkg.py
+++ b/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/nonpkg.py
@@ -2,4 +2,5 @@
 
 import robin
 
-assert(robin.run() == "AWAY!")
+if not(robin.run() == "AWAY!"):
+    raise RuntimeError("test failed")
diff --git a/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/normal.py b/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/normal.py
index fc26c0216..231d4cccd 100644
--- a/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/normal.py
+++ b/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/normal.py
@@ -4,4 +4,5 @@ sys.path.insert(0, 'path1')
 
 from brave import robin
 
-assert(robin.run() == "AWAY!")
+if not(robin.run() == "AWAY!"):
+    raise RuntimeError("test failed")
diff --git a/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/split.py b/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/split.py
index 1b66c2d49..88d17d5fe 100644
--- a/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/split.py
+++ b/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/split.py
@@ -6,4 +6,5 @@ sys.path.insert(0, 'path3')
 
 from brave import robin
 
-assert(robin.run() == "AWAY!")
+if not(robin.run() == "AWAY!"):
+    raise RuntimeError("test failed")
diff --git a/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/zipsplit.py b/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/zipsplit.py
index 9e35559e3..b027b11c1 100644
--- a/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/zipsplit.py
+++ b/Examples/python/import_packages/namespace_pkg/zipsplit.py
@@ -6,4 +6,5 @@ sys.path.insert(0, 'path3')
 
 from brave import robin
 
-assert(robin.run() == "AWAY!")
+if not(robin.run() == "AWAY!"):
+    raise RuntimeError("test failed")
diff --git a/Examples/python/import_packages/split_modules/vanilla/runme.py b/Examples/python/import_packages/split_modules/vanilla/runme.py
index a188364f1..4c46ef200 100644
--- a/Examples/python/import_packages/split_modules/vanilla/runme.py
+++ b/Examples/python/import_packages/split_modules/vanilla/runme.py
@@ -7,4 +7,5 @@ import pkg1.foo
 
 print "  Finished importing pkg1.foo"
 
-assert(pkg1.foo.count() == 3)
+if not(pkg1.foo.count() == 3):
+    raise RuntimeError("test failed")
diff --git a/Examples/python/import_packages/split_modules/vanilla_split/runme.py b/Examples/python/import_packages/split_modules/vanilla_split/runme.py
index a188364f1..4c46ef200 100644
--- a/Examples/python/import_packages/split_modules/vanilla_split/runme.py
+++ b/Examples/python/import_packages/split_modules/vanilla_split/runme.py
@@ -7,4 +7,5 @@ import pkg1.foo
 
 print "  Finished importing pkg1.foo"
 
-assert(pkg1.foo.count() == 3)
+if not(pkg1.foo.count() == 3):
+    raise RuntimeError("test failed")