diff --git a/fs/afs/file.c b/fs/afs/file.c
index 14d89fa..8f6e923 100644
--- a/fs/afs/file.c
+++ b/fs/afs/file.c
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@
 	ASSERT(key != NULL);
 
 	vnode = AFS_FS_I(mapping->host);
-	if (vnode->flags & AFS_VNODE_DELETED) {
+	if (test_bit(AFS_VNODE_DELETED, &vnode->flags)) {
 		_leave(" = -ESTALE");
 		return -ESTALE;
 	}