diff --git a/wp-admin/admin-functions.php b/wp-admin/admin-functions.php
index 824b45110..fe8ca5dec 100644
--- a/wp-admin/admin-functions.php
+++ b/wp-admin/admin-functions.php
@@ -2079,7 +2079,7 @@ function wp_generate_attachment_metadata( $attachment_id, $file ) {
 
 		$max = apply_filters( 'wp_thumbnail_creation_size_limit', 3 * 1024 * 1024, $attachment_id, $file );
 
-		if ( $max > 0 && $metadata['width'] * $metadata['height'] < $max ) {
+		if ( $max < 0 || $metadata['width'] * $metadata['height'] < $max ) {
 			$max_side = apply_filters( 'wp_thumbnail_max_side_length', 128, $attachment_id, $file );
 			$thumb = wp_create_thumbnail( $file, $max_side );