diff --git a/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/skyframe/InMemoryNodeEntry.java b/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/skyframe/InMemoryNodeEntry.java
index 233127d..02ecef8 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/skyframe/InMemoryNodeEntry.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/skyframe/InMemoryNodeEntry.java
@@ -387,11 +387,11 @@
     if (dirtyBuildingState == null) {
       dirtyBuildingState = DirtyBuildingState.createNew();
     }
-    boolean result = !dirtyBuildingState.isEvaluating();
-    if (result) {
+    boolean wasEvaluating = dirtyBuildingState.isEvaluating();
+    if (!wasEvaluating) {
       dirtyBuildingState.startEvaluating();
     }
-    return result ? DependencyState.NEEDS_SCHEDULING : DependencyState.ALREADY_EVALUATING;
+    return wasEvaluating ? DependencyState.ALREADY_EVALUATING : DependencyState.NEEDS_SCHEDULING;
   }
 
   /** Sets {@link #reverseDeps}. Does not alter {@link #reverseDepsDataToConsolidate}. */