diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
index 54a0908da737..2cc09a5931f6 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ def set_color(self, c):
 
     def _set_hatchcolor(self, color):
         color = mpl._val_or_rc(color, 'hatch.color')
-        if color == 'edge':
+        if cbook._str_equal(color, 'edge'):
             self._hatch_color = 'edge'
         else:
             self._hatch_color = colors.to_rgba(color, self._alpha)
@@ -439,8 +439,6 @@ def set_hatchcolor(self, color):
         ----------
         color : :mpltype:`color` or 'edge' or None
         """
-        if cbook._str_equal(color, 'edge'):
-            color = 'edge'
         self._original_hatchcolor = color
         self._set_hatchcolor(color)
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py
index e76c6f6ae874..78fad6a07ec8 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py
@@ -1023,6 +1023,9 @@ def test_patch_hatchcolor_inherit_logic():
         rect.set_edgecolor('green')
         assert mcolors.same_color(rect.get_hatchcolor(), 'purple')
 
+    # Smoke test for setting with numpy array
+    rect.set_hatchcolor(np.ones(3))
+
 
 def test_patch_hatchcolor_fallback_logic():
     # Test for when hatchcolor parameter is passed