diff --git a/utils/misc/src/test/java/org/onlab/graph/TestVertex.java b/utils/misc/src/test/java/org/onlab/graph/TestVertex.java
index 2e960f3..ca6890f 100644
--- a/utils/misc/src/test/java/org/onlab/graph/TestVertex.java
+++ b/utils/misc/src/test/java/org/onlab/graph/TestVertex.java
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@
 
     @Override
     public boolean equals(Object obj) {
+        if (this == obj) {
+            return true;
+        }
         if (obj instanceof TestVertex) {
             final TestVertex other = (TestVertex) obj;
             return Objects.equals(this.name, other.name);