diff --git a/specs/merge/validator.md b/specs/merge/validator.md
index 1ff55ad1b..d36397353 100644
--- a/specs/merge/validator.md
+++ b/specs/merge/validator.md
@@ -121,8 +121,8 @@ def prepare_execution_payload(state: BeaconState,
                               execution_engine: ExecutionEngine) -> Optional[PayloadId]:
     if not is_merge_complete(state):
         is_terminal_block_hash_set = TERMINAL_BLOCK_HASH != Hash32()
-        is_activation_epoch_reached = get_current_epoch(state.slot) < TERMINAL_BLOCK_HASH_ACTIVATION_EPOCH
-        if is_terminal_block_hash_set and is_activation_epoch_reached:
+        is_activation_epoch_reached = get_current_epoch(state.slot) >= TERMINAL_BLOCK_HASH_ACTIVATION_EPOCH
+        if is_terminal_block_hash_set and not is_activation_epoch_reached:
             # Terminal block hash is set but activation epoch is not yet reached, no prepare payload call is needed
             return None