diff --git a/src/world/footpath.c b/src/world/footpath.c
index ac0422851d..bbf281036e 100644
--- a/src/world/footpath.c
+++ b/src/world/footpath.c
@@ -1413,9 +1413,9 @@ static void footpath_unown(int x, int y, rct_map_element *pathElement)
 	int ownershipUnk = 0;
 	int z = pathElement->base_height;
 	rct_map_element *surfaceElement = map_get_surface_element_at(x >> 5, y >> 5);
-	if (surfaceElement->base_height |= z) {
+	if (surfaceElement->base_height != z) {
 		z -= 2;
-		if (surfaceElement->base_height |= z) {
+		if (surfaceElement->base_height != z) {
 			ownershipUnk = (surfaceElement->properties.surface.ownership & 0xCF) >> 4;
 		}
 	}