diff --git a/io/directory.go b/io/directory.go
index 609254127..7c08f8f07 100644
--- a/io/directory.go
+++ b/io/directory.go
@@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ func (d *UpgradeableDirectory) RemoveChild(ctx context.Context, name string) err
 	}
 
 	if HAMTShardingSize == 0 && // Option disabled.
-		hamtDir.sizeChange < 0 { // We haven't reduced the HAMT net size.
+		hamtDir.sizeChange >= 0 { // We haven't reduced the HAMT net size.
 		return nil
 	}