diff --git a/src/main/java/com/criteo/gerrit/plugins/automerge/AutomaticMerger.java b/src/main/java/com/criteo/gerrit/plugins/automerge/AutomaticMerger.java
index 318762d..a486599 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/criteo/gerrit/plugins/automerge/AutomaticMerger.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/criteo/gerrit/plugins/automerge/AutomaticMerger.java
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@
   }
 
   private void onCommendAdded(final CommentAddedEvent newComment) {
-    if (newComment.author.email == config.getBotEmail()) {
+    if (config.getBotEmail().equals(newComment.author.email)) {
       return;
     }