diff --git a/bot.py b/bot.py
index 13cca9e..44dea05 100644
--- a/bot.py
+++ b/bot.py
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ class IRCBot():
                     channel_time = self.check_time(channel)
                     now = time()
                     count = self.counter(channel)
-                    if now - channel_time > timeout and count > messages_within_timeout:
+                    if now - channel_time > timeout and count < messages_within_timeout:
                         self.config["counts"][channel] = 0
                         self.write_config()
                         self.send("#bots", f"i hear activity in {channel}...")