diff --git a/src/modules/module-tunnel.c b/src/modules/module-tunnel.c
index 1ddfd2595..6b3512e26 100644
--- a/src/modules/module-tunnel.c
+++ b/src/modules/module-tunnel.c
@@ -1997,7 +1997,7 @@ int pa__init(pa_module*m) {
 #endif
 
         /* Figure out the cookie the same way a normal client would */
-        if (cookie_path)
+        if (!cookie_path)
             cookie_path = getenv(ENV_COOKIE_FILE);
 
 #ifdef HAVE_X11