diff --git a/processor/deltatocumulativeprocessor/processor.go b/processor/deltatocumulativeprocessor/processor.go
index 0a351b5eecac..f6e886abbefb 100644
--- a/processor/deltatocumulativeprocessor/processor.go
+++ b/processor/deltatocumulativeprocessor/processor.go
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@ func newProcessor(cfg *Config, log *zap.Logger, next consumer.Metrics) *Processo
 	}
 	if cfg.MaxStreams > 0 {
 		lim := streams.Limit(dps, cfg.MaxStreams)
-		if proc.exp != nil {
-			lim.Evictor = proc.exp
+		if proc.stale != nil {
+			lim.Evictor = proc.stale
 		}
 		dps = lim
 	}