diff --git a/ratis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/ratis/server/impl/RaftServerImpl.java b/ratis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/ratis/server/impl/RaftServerImpl.java
index e32e07177c..05a6233e1a 100644
--- a/ratis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/ratis/server/impl/RaftServerImpl.java
+++ b/ratis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/ratis/server/impl/RaftServerImpl.java
@@ -785,7 +785,7 @@ public CompletableFuture<RaftClientReply> setConfigurationAsync(SetConfiguration
   }
 
   private boolean shouldWithholdVotes(long candidateTerm) {
-    if (state.getCurrentTerm() < candidateTerm) {
+    if (state.getCurrentTerm() >= candidateTerm) {
       return false;
     } else if (isLeader()) {
       return true;