diff --git a/src/libexpr/flake/lockfile.cc b/src/libexpr/flake/lockfile.cc
index a3ed90e1f94..a74e68c9c48 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/flake/lockfile.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/flake/lockfile.cc
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ std::optional<FlakeRef> LockFile::isUnlocked() const
     visit(root);
 
     for (auto & i : nodes) {
-        if (i == root) continue;
+        if (i == ref<const Node>(root)) continue;
         auto node = i.dynamic_pointer_cast<const LockedNode>();
         if (node && !node->lockedRef.input.isLocked())
             return node->lockedRef;