diff --git a/CHANGES.rst b/CHANGES.rst
index 90d8033b06..52cd76aa1f 100644
--- a/CHANGES.rst
+++ b/CHANGES.rst
@@ -62,6 +62,12 @@ Mosviz
 Specviz
 ^^^^^^^
 
+Specviz2d
+^^^^^^^^^
+
+- Fixed default spectral extraction parameters when the background separation otherwise would have
+  fallen directly on the edge of the image. [#1633]
+
 Other Changes and Additions
 ---------------------------
 
diff --git a/jdaviz/configs/specviz2d/plugins/spectral_extraction/spectral_extraction.py b/jdaviz/configs/specviz2d/plugins/spectral_extraction/spectral_extraction.py
index 5a5b219538..443627ca13 100644
--- a/jdaviz/configs/specviz2d/plugins/spectral_extraction/spectral_extraction.py
+++ b/jdaviz/configs/specviz2d/plugins/spectral_extraction/spectral_extraction.py
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ def _trace_dataset_selected(self, msg=None):
         if self.bg_trace_pixel == 0:
             self.bg_trace_pixel = brightest_pixel
         if self.bg_separation == 0:
-            if default_bg_width * 2 > distance_from_edge:
+            if default_bg_width * 2 >= distance_from_edge:
                 self.bg_type_selected = 'OneSided'
                 # we want positive separation if brightest_pixel near bottom
                 sign = 1 if (brightest_pixel < width / 2) else -1