diff --git a/rest_framework/tests/test_htmlrenderer.py b/rest_framework/tests/test_htmlrenderer.py
index bb87272d2..514d9e2b6 100644
--- a/rest_framework/tests/test_htmlrenderer.py
+++ b/rest_framework/tests/test_htmlrenderer.py
@@ -108,11 +108,13 @@ class TemplateHTMLRendererExceptionTests(TestCase):
     def test_not_found_html_view_with_template(self):
         response = self.client.get('/not_found')
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND)
-        self.assertEqual(response.content, six.b("404: Not found"))
+        self.assertTrue(response.content in (
+            six.b("404: Not found"), six.b("404 Not Found")))
         self.assertEqual(response['Content-Type'], 'text/html; charset=utf-8')
 
     def test_permission_denied_html_view_with_template(self):
         response = self.client.get('/permission_denied')
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN)
-        self.assertEqual(response.content, six.b("403: Permission denied"))
+        self.assertTrue(response.content in (
+            six.b("403: Permission denied"), six.b("403 Forbidden")))
         self.assertEqual(response['Content-Type'], 'text/html; charset=utf-8')