diff --git a/src/xterm.c b/src/xterm.c
index 2f705ec8803..ab4da0cc3d3 100644
--- a/src/xterm.c
+++ b/src/xterm.c
@@ -6843,7 +6843,7 @@ x_load_font (f, fontname, size)
 	 larger than the above value.  */
       int max_height = font->max_bounds.ascent + font->max_bounds.descent;
       if (max_height > fontp->height)
-	fontp->height > max_height;
+	fontp->height = max_height;
     }
 
     if (NILP (font_names))