diff --git a/servers/slapd/controls.c b/servers/slapd/controls.c
index 5599bd7b9d..60b2245734 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/controls.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/controls.c
@@ -1681,8 +1681,8 @@ static int parseDomainScope (
 		return LDAP_PROTOCOL_ERROR;
 	}
 
-	if ( BER_BVISNULL( &ctrl->ldctl_value )) {
-		rs->sr_text = "domainScope control value not empty";
+	if ( !BER_BVISNULL( &ctrl->ldctl_value )) {
+		rs->sr_text = "domainScope control value not absent";
 		return LDAP_PROTOCOL_ERROR;
 	}