diff --git a/include/osg/observer_ptr b/include/osg/observer_ptr
index e56cca5cc..dd914f7bb 100644
--- a/include/osg/observer_ptr
+++ b/include/osg/observer_ptr
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public:
     bool operator == (const observer_ptr& wp) const { return _reference == wp._reference; }
     bool operator != (const observer_ptr& wp) const { return _reference != wp._reference; }
     bool operator < (const observer_ptr& wp) const { return _reference < wp._reference; }
-    bool operator > (const observer_ptr& wp) const { return _reference > wp._reference; }
+    bool operator > (const observer_ptr& wp) const { return wp._reference < _reference; }
 
     // Non-strict interface, for compatibility
     // comparison operator for const T*.