diff --git a/helpers/envkernel.sh b/helpers/envkernel.sh
index 90267626..fe402035 100644
--- a/helpers/envkernel.sh
+++ b/helpers/envkernel.sh
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ set_reactivate() {
 }
 
 check_and_deactivate() {
-	if [ "$POSTMARKETOS_ENVKERNEL_ENABLED" -eq 1 ]; then
+	if [ "$POSTMARKETOS_ENVKERNEL_ENABLED" = 1 ]; then
 		# we already are runnning in envkernel
 		deactivate
 	fi