diff --git a/orte/mca/filem/base/filem_base_receive.c b/orte/mca/filem/base/filem_base_receive.c
index b3aaee595c..eebbf81fc3 100644
--- a/orte/mca/filem/base/filem_base_receive.c
+++ b/orte/mca/filem/base/filem_base_receive.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ int orte_filem_base_comm_start(void)
 {
     int rc;
 
-    if (recv_issued && orte_process_info.hnp) {
+    if (recv_issued || !orte_process_info.hnp) {
         return ORTE_SUCCESS;
     }
     
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ int orte_filem_base_comm_stop(void)
 {
     int rc;
     
-    if (!recv_issued && orte_process_info.hnp) {
+    if (!recv_issued || !orte_process_info.hnp) {
         return ORTE_SUCCESS;
     }