diff --git a/liberty-maven-plugin/src/main/java/io/openliberty/tools/maven/server/DevMojo.java b/liberty-maven-plugin/src/main/java/io/openliberty/tools/maven/server/DevMojo.java
index 376bdb0ab..5ae542a1a 100644
--- a/liberty-maven-plugin/src/main/java/io/openliberty/tools/maven/server/DevMojo.java
+++ b/liberty-maven-plugin/src/main/java/io/openliberty/tools/maven/server/DevMojo.java
@@ -922,7 +922,7 @@ public boolean recompileBuildFile(File buildFile, Set<String> compileArtifactPat
                 }
                 config = ExecuteMojoUtil.getPluginGoalConfig(warPlugin, "exploded", getLog());
                 oldConfig = ExecuteMojoUtil.getPluginGoalConfig(backupWarPlugin, "exploded", getLog());
-                if (!Objects.equals(config, oldConfig) || warPlugin.getVersion() != backupWarPlugin.getVersion()) {
+                if (!Objects.equals(config, oldConfig) || !warPlugin.getVersion().equals(backupWarPlugin.getVersion())) {
                     redeployApp = true;
                 }
                 config = ExecuteMojoUtil.getPluginGoalConfig(libertyPlugin, "generate-features", getLog());