diff --git a/ipacm/src/IPACM_Lan.cpp b/ipacm/src/IPACM_Lan.cpp
index 871b957..71b397b 100644
--- a/ipacm/src/IPACM_Lan.cpp
+++ b/ipacm/src/IPACM_Lan.cpp
@@ -3331,7 +3331,8 @@
 
 #ifdef FEATURE_IPACM_HAL
 		/* add prefix equation in modem UL rules */
-		if(iptype == IPA_IP_v4 && flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_32 < IPA_IPFLTR_NUM_MEQ_32_EQNS)
+		if(iptype == IPA_IP_v4 && (flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_32 >= 0)
+			&& (flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_32 < IPA_IPFLTR_NUM_MEQ_32_EQNS))
 		{
 			flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_32++;
 			eq_index = flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_32 - 1;
@@ -3365,7 +3366,9 @@
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			if (flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_128 < IPA_IPFLTR_NUM_MEQ_128_EQNS)
+			if ((flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_128 >= 0) &&
+				(flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_128 
+					< IPA_IPFLTR_NUM_MEQ_128_EQNS))
 			{
 				flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_128++;
 				eq_index = flt_rule_entry.rule.eq_attrib.num_offset_meq_128 - 1;