diff --git a/qemu/tests/rv_connect.py b/qemu/tests/rv_connect.py
index 6447e3465ddc8090573b2ce34fa4e610bf81b5b5..af6eaa0b3bfbbbbcaec69f39144f7da193e3bbf2 100644
--- a/qemu/tests/rv_connect.py
+++ b/qemu/tests/rv_connect.py
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ def launch_rv(test, client_vm, guest_vm, params):
     # Check to see if the test is using a smartcard.
     if smartcard == "yes":
         logging.info("remote viewer Set to use a smartcard")
-        if not rv_parameters_from == file:
+        if not rv_parameters_from == "file":
             cmd += " --spice-smartcard"
 
         if certdb is not None: