diff --git a/pandas/tests/io/test_pytables.py b/pandas/tests/io/test_pytables.py
index a6a38e005b9b6..4ba181384b3b3 100644
--- a/pandas/tests/io/test_pytables.py
+++ b/pandas/tests/io/test_pytables.py
@@ -4877,15 +4877,17 @@ def test_to_hdf_with_object_column_names(self):
         if compat.PY3:
             types_should_run.append(tm.makeUnicodeIndex)
         else:
-            types_should_fail.append(tm.makeUnicodeIndex)
+            # TODO: Add back to types_should_fail
+            # https://github.com/pandas-dev/pandas/issues/20907
+            pass
 
         for index in types_should_fail:
             df = DataFrame(np.random.randn(10, 2), columns=index(2))
             with ensure_clean_path(self.path) as path:
                 with catch_warnings(record=True):
-                    with pytest.raises(
-                        ValueError, msg=("cannot have non-object label "
-                                         "DataIndexableCol")):
+                    with tm.assert_raises_regex(
+                        ValueError, ("cannot have non-object label "
+                                     "DataIndexableCol")):
                         df.to_hdf(path, 'df', format='table',
                                   data_columns=True)