diff --git a/yt_dlp/extractor/bannedvideo.py b/yt_dlp/extractor/bannedvideo.py
index 742e3718e4..bf21a8225f 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/extractor/bannedvideo.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/extractor/bannedvideo.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import itertools
 import json
-import re
 
 from .common import InfoExtractor
 from ..utils import (
@@ -254,7 +253,7 @@ class BannedVideoIE(BannedVideoBaseIE):
             'url': video_info.get('directUrl'),
             'ext': 'mp4',
         }] if url_or_none(video_info.get('directUrl')) else []
-        if video_info.get('streamUrl') and not video_info.get('streamUrl') == video_info.get('directUrl'):
+        if video_info.get('streamUrl') and video_info.get('streamUrl') != video_info.get('directUrl'):
             formats.extend(self._extract_m3u8_formats(
                 video_info.get('streamUrl'), video_id, 'mp4',
                 entry_protocol='m3u8_native', m3u8_id='hls',