diff --git a/gson/src/main/java/com/google/gson/JsonNull.java b/gson/src/main/java/com/google/gson/JsonNull.java
index b14fd3f1cd..1a4c136c05 100644
--- a/gson/src/main/java/com/google/gson/JsonNull.java
+++ b/gson/src/main/java/com/google/gson/JsonNull.java
@@ -64,6 +64,6 @@ public int hashCode() {
    */
   @Override
   public boolean equals(Object other) {
-    return this == other || other instanceof JsonNull;
+    return other instanceof JsonNull;
   }
 }