diff --git a/common/recorder.c b/common/recorder.c
index 63e4163303..aad9faf40c 100644
--- a/common/recorder.c
+++ b/common/recorder.c
@@ -91,10 +91,10 @@ static int add_stream(struct mp_recorder *priv, struct sh_stream *sh)
     if (!avp)
         return -1;
 
-    // Check if we get the same codec_tag for the output format;
+    // Check if we get the same codec_id for the output format;
     // otherwise clear it to have a chance at muxing
     if (av_codec_get_id(priv->mux->oformat->codec_tag,
-                        avp->codec_tag) != avp->codec_tag)
+                        avp->codec_tag) != avp->codec_id)
         avp->codec_tag = 0;
 
     // We don't know the delay, so make something up. If the format requires