diff --git a/Lib/test/test_compiler.py b/Lib/test/test_compiler.py
index a59d6aa7bac..483bc182898 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_compiler.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_compiler.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ class CompilerTest(unittest.TestCase):
                     next_time = time.time() + _PRINT_WORKING_MSG_INTERVAL
                     print >>sys.__stdout__, \
                        '  testCompileLibrary still working, be patient...'
+                    sys.__stdout__.flush()
 
                 if not basename.endswith(".py"):
                     continue