diff --git a/fs/jfs/jfs_dtree.c b/fs/jfs/jfs_dtree.c
index 92b7c5334..b611ecb01 100644
--- a/fs/jfs/jfs_dtree.c
+++ b/fs/jfs/jfs_dtree.c
@@ -1962,7 +1962,7 @@ static int dtSplitRoot(tid_t tid,
 
 	/* append new free region at tail of old freelist */
 	fsi = sp->header.freelist;
-	if (fsi == -1)
+	if (fsi < 0)
 		rp->header.freelist = n;
 	else {
 		rp->header.freelist = fsi;