diff --git a/org.springframework.integration/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/handler/AbstractMessageHandler.java b/org.springframework.integration/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/handler/AbstractMessageHandler.java
index e73a3c8190..796bec5276 100644
--- a/org.springframework.integration/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/handler/AbstractMessageHandler.java
+++ b/org.springframework.integration/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/handler/AbstractMessageHandler.java
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractMessageHandler extends IntegrationObjectSupport im
     }
 
     public final void handleMessage(Message<?> message) {
-        Assert.notNull(message == null, "Message must not be null");
+        Assert.notNull(message, "Message must not be null");
         Assert.notNull(message.getPayload(), "Message payload must not be null");
         if (this.logger.isDebugEnabled()) {
             this.logger.debug(this + " received message: " + message);