diff --git a/pkg/cmd/roachtest/tests/util.go b/pkg/cmd/roachtest/tests/util.go
index 8e3df12bf6db..6b07dab5fbdf 100644
--- a/pkg/cmd/roachtest/tests/util.go
+++ b/pkg/cmd/roachtest/tests/util.go
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func WaitForReplication(
 	var compStr string
 	switch waitForReplicationType {
 	case exactlyReplicationFactor:
-		compStr = "="
+		compStr = "!="
 	case atLeastReplicationFactor:
 		compStr = "<"
 	default: