diff --git a/src/sha1_lookup.c b/src/sha1_lookup.c
index ce067caaa..cdcadfaa9 100644
--- a/src/sha1_lookup.c
+++ b/src/sha1_lookup.c
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ int sha1_entry_pos(const void *table,
 			lov = (lov << 8) | lo_key[ofs_0+1];
 			kyv = (kyv << 8) | key[ofs_0+1];
 		}
-		assert(lov <= hiv);
+		assert(lov < hiv);
 
 		if (kyv < lov)
 			return -1 - lo;