diff --git a/samples/src/main/java/io/quarkiverse/operatorsdk/samples/joke/JokeController.java b/samples/src/main/java/io/quarkiverse/operatorsdk/samples/joke/JokeController.java
index 566394a0..340d0b9b 100644
--- a/samples/src/main/java/io/quarkiverse/operatorsdk/samples/joke/JokeController.java
+++ b/samples/src/main/java/io/quarkiverse/operatorsdk/samples/joke/JokeController.java
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ public UpdateControl<JokeRequest> createOrUpdateResource(JokeRequest jr, Context
 
         // if the joke has already been created, ignore
         JokeRequestStatus status = jr.getStatus();
-        if (status == null || State.CREATED == status.getState()) {
+        if (status != null && State.CREATED == status.getState()) {
             return UpdateControl.noUpdate();
         }