diff --git a/icu4c/source/python/icutools/databuilder/test/filtration_test.py b/icu4c/source/python/icutools/databuilder/test/filtration_test.py
index 416223bd7e34..41b593715d50 100644
--- a/icu4c/source/python/icutools/databuilder/test/filtration_test.py
+++ b/icu4c/source/python/icutools/databuilder/test/filtration_test.py
@@ -418,4 +418,4 @@ def _check_filter(self, filter, expected_matches, tree="locales"):
             self.assertEqual(is_match, expected_match, file_stem)
 
 # Export the test for the runner
-suite = unittest.makeSuite(FiltrationTest)
+suite = unittest.defaultTestLoader.loadTestsFromTestCase(FiltrationTest)