diff --git a/r2/r2/controllers/reddit_base.py b/r2/r2/controllers/reddit_base.py
index d0596e2ad..d431dd89c 100644
--- a/r2/r2/controllers/reddit_base.py
+++ b/r2/r2/controllers/reddit_base.py
@@ -548,7 +548,7 @@ def set_iface_lang():
     host_lang = request.environ.get('reddit-prefer-lang')
     lang = host_lang or c.user.pref_lang
 
-    if getattr(g, "lang_override") and lang.startswith("en"):
+    if getattr(g, "lang_override") and lang == "en":
         lang = g.lang_override
 
     c.lang = lang