2to3 --fix=ne
diff --git a/Lib/fontTools/misc/sstruct.py b/Lib/fontTools/misc/sstruct.py
index c9ab776..fe1711b 100644
--- a/Lib/fontTools/misc/sstruct.py
+++ b/Lib/fontTools/misc/sstruct.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
 			m = _extraRE.match(line)
 			if m:
 				formatchar = m.group(1)
-				if formatchar <> 'x' and formatstring:
+				if formatchar != 'x' and formatstring:
 					raise error, "a special format char must be first"
 			else:
 				m = _elementRE.match(line)