diff --git a/chown.c b/chown.c
index cd331d0..f688a7e 100644
--- a/chown.c
+++ b/chown.c
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	if(owner && *owner) {
 		errno = 0;
 		pw = getpwnam(owner);
-		if(errno == -1)
+		if(errno != 0)
 			eprintf("getpwnam %s:", owner);
 		else if(!pw)
 			eprintf("getpwnam %s: no such user\n", owner);
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	if(group && *group) {
 		errno = 0;
 		gr = getgrnam(group);
-		if(errno == -1)
+		if(errno != 0)
 			eprintf("getgrnam %s:", group);
 		else if(!gr)
 			eprintf("getgrnam %s: no such group\n", group);