diff --git a/src/or/main.c b/src/or/main.c
index 5276f08624..c6770aa853 100644
--- a/src/or/main.c
+++ b/src/or/main.c
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ static void run_connection_housekeeping(int i, time_t now) {
   connection_t *conn = connection_array[i];
 
   if(conn->type == CONN_TYPE_DIR &&
-     conn->timestamp_created + 5*60 > now) {
+     conn->timestamp_created + 5*60 < now) {
     log_fn(LOG_INFO,"Expiring wedged directory conn (purpose %d)", conn->purpose);
     connection_mark_for_close(conn,0);
     return;