diff --git a/Lib/distutils/command/check.py b/Lib/distutils/command/check.py
index 12844cb..2657c69 100644
--- a/Lib/distutils/command/check.py
+++ b/Lib/distutils/command/check.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     from docutils.parsers.rst import Parser
     from docutils import frontend
     from docutils import nodes
-    from StringIO import StringIO
+    from io import StringIO
 
     class SilentReporter(Reporter):
 
diff --git a/Lib/distutils/tests/test_register.py b/Lib/distutils/tests/test_register.py
index c03ad10..7d0ac9e 100644
--- a/Lib/distutils/tests/test_register.py
+++ b/Lib/distutils/tests/test_register.py
@@ -224,24 +224,24 @@
         cmd = self._get_cmd(metadata)
         cmd.ensure_finalized()
         cmd.strict = 1
-        inputs = RawInputs('1', 'tarek', 'y')
-        register_module.raw_input = inputs.__call__
+        inputs = Inputs('1', 'tarek', 'y')
+        register_module.input = inputs.__call__
         # let's run the command
         try:
             cmd.run()
         finally:
-            del register_module.raw_input
+            del register_module.input
 
         # strict is not by default
         cmd = self._get_cmd()
         cmd.ensure_finalized()
-        inputs = RawInputs('1', 'tarek', 'y')
-        register_module.raw_input = inputs.__call__
+        inputs = Inputs('1', 'tarek', 'y')
+        register_module.input = inputs.__call__
         # let's run the command
         try:
             cmd.run()
         finally:
-            del register_module.raw_input
+            del register_module.input
 
     def test_check_metadata_deprecated(self):
         # makes sure make_metadata is deprecated
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index 5841761..b313785 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -124,6 +124,9 @@
 Library
 -------
 
+- Issue #8980: Fixed a failure in distutils.command check that was shadowed
+  by an environment that does not have docutils. Patch by Arferver.
+
 - Issue #1050268: parseaddr now correctly quotes double quote and backslash
   characters that appear inside quoted strings in email addresses.