--- a/sklearn/model_selection/tests/test_search.py
+++ b/sklearn/model_selection/tests/test_search.py
@@ -3,10 +3,13 @@
 from collections import Iterable, Sized
 from sklearn.externals.six.moves import cStringIO as StringIO
 from sklearn.externals.six.moves import xrange
-from sklearn.externals.joblib._compat import PY3_OR_LATER
+# Debian: no real need to access restricter attribute of external
+# dependency which we modularize out
+# from sklearn.externals.joblib._compat import PY3_OR_LATER
 from itertools import chain, product
 import pickle
 import sys
+PY3_OR_LATER = sys.version_info[0] >= 3
 
 import numpy as np
 import scipy.sparse as sp
