diff --git a/servers/slapd/controls.c b/servers/slapd/controls.c
index e737afb043..9d8a55fb93 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/controls.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/controls.c
@@ -1624,7 +1624,7 @@ static int parsePermissiveModify (
 		return LDAP_PROTOCOL_ERROR;
 	}
 
-	if ( BER_BVISNULL( &ctrl->ldctl_value )) {
+	if ( !BER_BVISNULL( &ctrl->ldctl_value )) {
 		rs->sr_text = "permissiveModify control value not absent";
 		return LDAP_PROTOCOL_ERROR;
 	}