diff --git a/dspace-server-webapp/src/main/java/org/dspace/app/rest/submit/factory/impl/ItemMetadataValueAddPatchOperation.java b/dspace-server-webapp/src/main/java/org/dspace/app/rest/submit/factory/impl/ItemMetadataValueAddPatchOperation.java
index 54dfa6b02c..8ab9bb4516 100644
--- a/dspace-server-webapp/src/main/java/org/dspace/app/rest/submit/factory/impl/ItemMetadataValueAddPatchOperation.java
+++ b/dspace-server-webapp/src/main/java/org/dspace/app/rest/submit/factory/impl/ItemMetadataValueAddPatchOperation.java
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ public class ItemMetadataValueAddPatchOperation extends MetadataValueAddPatchOpe
     private void updateRelationshipPlace(Context context, Item dso, int place, Relationship rs) {
 
         try {
-            if (rs.getLeftItem() == dso) {
+            if (rs.getLeftItem().equals(dso)) {
                 rs.setLeftPlace(place);
             } else {
                 rs.setRightPlace(place);