diff --git a/core/kernel/source/jetbrains/mps/smodel/constraints/ModelConstraints.java b/core/kernel/source/jetbrains/mps/smodel/constraints/ModelConstraints.java
index 02517cca9943..04085135351f 100644
--- a/core/kernel/source/jetbrains/mps/smodel/constraints/ModelConstraints.java
+++ b/core/kernel/source/jetbrains/mps/smodel/constraints/ModelConstraints.java
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ public static boolean canBeRoot(String conceptFqName, SModel model, @Nullable Ch
 
     // todo: use concept descriptor here?
     SNode concept = SModelUtil.findConceptDeclaration(conceptFqName, GlobalScope.getInstance());
-    if (!SNodeUtil.isInstanceOfConceptDeclaration(concept) && SNodeUtil.getConceptDeclaration_IsRootable(concept)) {
+    if (!SNodeUtil.isInstanceOfConceptDeclaration(concept) || !SNodeUtil.getConceptDeclaration_IsRootable(concept)) {
       if (checkingNodeContext != null) {
         checkingNodeContext.setBreakingNode(new SNodePointer(concept));
       }