diff --git a/zone/bonuses.cpp b/zone/bonuses.cpp
index 26718e195..2cd30efeb 100644
--- a/zone/bonuses.cpp
+++ b/zone/bonuses.cpp
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ void Mob::AddItemBonuses(const EQ::ItemInstance* inst, StatBonuses* b, bool is_a
 	}
 
 	const auto recommended_level = is_augment ? recommended_level_override : inst->GetItemRecommendedLevel(true);
-	const bool meets_recommended = (IsNPC() && RuleB(Items, NPCUseRecommendedLevels)) || current_level >= recommended_level;
+	const bool meets_recommended = (IsNPC() && !RuleB(Items, NPCUseRecommendedLevels)) || current_level >= recommended_level;
 
 	auto CalcItemBonus = [&](int statValue) -> int {
 		return statValue ? (meets_recommended ? statValue : CalcRecommendedLevelBonus(current_level, recommended_level, statValue)) : 0;