diff --git a/spring-data-rest-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/rest/webmvc/RepositoryPropertyReferenceController.java b/spring-data-rest-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/rest/webmvc/RepositoryPropertyReferenceController.java
index 3ecca5bde..a15c7b6bc 100644
--- a/spring-data-rest-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/rest/webmvc/RepositoryPropertyReferenceController.java
+++ b/spring-data-rest-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/rest/webmvc/RepositoryPropertyReferenceController.java
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@
  * @author Jon Brisbin
  * @author Oliver Gierke
  * @author Greg Turnquist
+ * @author Brandon Vulaj
  */
 @RepositoryRestController
 @SuppressWarnings({ "unchecked" })
@@ -318,7 +319,7 @@ public ResponseEntity<? extends RepresentationModel<?>> createPropertyReference(
 									"Cannot PATCH a reference to this singular property since the property type is not a List or a Map.");
 				}
 
-				if (source.getLinks().hasSingleLink()) {
+				if (!source.getLinks().hasSingleLink()) {
 					throw new IllegalArgumentException(
 							"Must send only 1 link to update a property reference that isn't a List or a Map.");
 				}