diff --git a/src/Handler/Exam/Form.hs b/src/Handler/Exam/Form.hs
index 4391a7ed6..41c003cab 100644
--- a/src/Handler/Exam/Form.hs
+++ b/src/Handler/Exam/Form.hs
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ validateExam cId oldExam = do
       _otherwise                            -> return ()
     whenIsJust efAuthorshipStatement $ \statementContent -> do
       mSchoolAuthorshipStatement <- lift $ maybe (pure Nothing) getEntity schoolSheetExamAuthorshipStatementDefinition
-      guardValidation MsgExamAuthorshipStatementMustBeNonEmpty $ schoolSheetExamAuthorshipStatementMode == SchoolAuthorshipStatementModeRequired && statementContent /= mempty
+      guardValidation MsgExamAuthorshipStatementMustBeNonEmpty $ schoolSheetExamAuthorshipStatementMode /= SchoolAuthorshipStatementModeRequired || statementContent /= mempty
       guardValidation MsgExamAuthorshipStatementMustMatchSchoolDefinition $ not schoolSheetExamAuthorshipStatementAllowOther && Just statementContent == (authorshipStatementDefinitionContent . entityVal <$> mSchoolAuthorshipStatement)
 
   unless (has (_Just . _entityVal . _examStaff . _Nothing) oldExam) $