diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/ElementId.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/ElementId.java
index a75f11e..d2cd398 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/ElementId.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/ElementId.java
@@ -40,6 +40,9 @@
 
     @Override
     public boolean equals(Object obj) {
+        if (this == obj) {
+            return true;
+        }
         if (obj instanceof ElementId) {
             final ElementId that = (ElementId) obj;
             return this.getClass() == that.getClass() &&