diff --git a/lisp/completion-preview.el b/lisp/completion-preview.el
index e3ddea02830..9bac9711331 100644
--- a/lisp/completion-preview.el
+++ b/lisp/completion-preview.el
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ Completion Preview mode avoids updating the preview after these commands.")
       (dolist (face (if (face-list-p spec) spec (list spec)))
         (let (cur)
           (if (and (setq cur (alist-get face face-remapping-alist))
-                   (not (memq cur trace)))
+                   (not (memq face trace)))
               (rec cur (cons face trace))
             (cond ((and face (symbolp face))
                    (let ((value (face-attribute face :background nil t)))