diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
index d05402764335..561da2223be5 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ def _get_key(self, event):
                 key = key.lower()
 
         mods.reverse()
-        return six.u('+').join(mods + [key])
+        return '+'.join(mods + [key])
 
     def new_timer(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """