diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/cluster/MastershipTerm.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/cluster/MastershipTerm.java
index f11dafd..f015ae5 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/cluster/MastershipTerm.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/cluster/MastershipTerm.java
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@
 
     @Override
     public boolean equals(Object other) {
+        if (this == other) {
+            return true;
+        }
         if (other instanceof MastershipTerm) {
             MastershipTerm that = (MastershipTerm) other;
             if (!this.master.equals(that.master)) {