diff --git a/packages/babylon/src/parseutil.js b/packages/babylon/src/parseutil.js
index 1834724bdc..47af1b9b06 100755
--- a/packages/babylon/src/parseutil.js
+++ b/packages/babylon/src/parseutil.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pp = Parser.prototype;
 
 pp.isUseStrict = function (stmt) {
   return this.options.ecmaVersion >= 5 && stmt.type === "ExpressionStatement" &&
-    stmt.expression.type === "Literal" && stmt.expression.value === "use strict";
+    stmt.expression.type === "Literal" && stmt.expression.raw.slice(1, -1) === "use strict";
 };
 
 // Predicate that tests whether the next token is of the given