diff --git a/video/filter/vf.c b/video/filter/vf.c
index f074c2059b..60fa94796a 100644
--- a/video/filter/vf.c
+++ b/video/filter/vf.c
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ static struct vf_instance *vf_open(struct MPOpts *opts, vf_instance_t *next,
         goto error;
     vf->priv = priv;
     int retcode = vf->info->vf_open(vf, (char *)args);
-    if (retcode < 0)
+    if (retcode < 1)
         goto error;
     return vf;