diff --git a/Lib/unittest.py b/Lib/unittest.py
index 7ea240c..eccefe6 100644
--- a/Lib/unittest.py
+++ b/Lib/unittest.py
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@
            Note that decimal places (from zero) are usually not the same
            as significant digits (measured from the most signficant digit).
         """
-        if round(second-first, places) != 0:
+        if round(abs(second-first), places) != 0:
             raise self.failureException, \
                   (msg or '%r != %r within %r places' % (first, second, places))
 
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@
            Note that decimal places (from zero) are usually not the same
            as significant digits (measured from the most signficant digit).
         """
-        if round(second-first, places) == 0:
+        if round(abs(second-first), places) == 0:
             raise self.failureException, \
                   (msg or '%r == %r within %r places' % (first, second, places))