diff --git a/backoff.go b/backoff.go
index dcec0d0c..494e5cbb 100644
--- a/backoff.go
+++ b/backoff.go
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func (b *backoff) updateAndGet(id peer.ID) (time.Duration, error) {
 			duration: time.Duration(0),
 			attempts: 0,
 		}
-	case h.attempts > b.maxAttempts:
+	case h.attempts >= b.maxAttempts:
 		return 0, fmt.Errorf("peer %s has reached its maximum backoff attempts", id)
 
 	case h.duration < MinBackoffDelay:
diff --git a/backoff_test.go b/backoff_test.go
index bd13530d..ebcd2120 100644
--- a/backoff_test.go
+++ b/backoff_test.go
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ func TestBackoff_Update(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// trying once more beyond the threshold, hence expecting exceeding threshold
-	if _, err := b.updateAndGet(id1); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("invalid exceeding threshold status: %s", err)
+	if _, err := b.updateAndGet(id1); err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected an error for going beyond threshold but got a nil: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	got, err := b.updateAndGet(id2)