diff --git a/openlp/plugins/images/lib/mediaitem.py b/openlp/plugins/images/lib/mediaitem.py
index deed14594..3475570fc 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/images/lib/mediaitem.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/images/lib/mediaitem.py
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ class ImageMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
             This boolean is set to True when the list in the interface should be reloaded after saving the new images
         """
         for filename in images_list:
-            if type(filename) is not str and type(filename) is not unicode:
+            if not isinstance(filename, basestring):
                 continue
             log.debug(u'Adding new image: %s', filename)
             imageFile = ImageFilenames()
diff --git a/scripts/check_dependencies.py b/scripts/check_dependencies.py
index 16a2c10e7..6c1d528ac 100755
--- a/scripts/check_dependencies.py
+++ b/scripts/check_dependencies.py
@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ OPTIONAL_MODULES = [
 w = sys.stdout.write
 
 def check_vers(version, required, text):
-    if type(version) is not str:
+    if not isinstance(version, str):
         version = '.'.join(map(str, version))
-    if type(required) is not str:
+    if not isinstance(required, str):
         required = '.'.join(map(str, required))
     w('  %s >= %s ...    ' % (text, required))
     if LooseVersion(version) >= LooseVersion(required):