diff --git a/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp b/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp
index 10dd63d447..676f662a79 100644
--- a/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp
@@ -1162,7 +1162,7 @@ bool handle_command(struct vehicle_status_s *status_local, const struct safety_s
 		if (_mission_result.valid) {
 
 			// requested first mission item valid
-			if (PX4_ISFINITE(cmd->param1) && (cmd->param1 >= 0) && (cmd->param1 < _mission_result.seq_total)) {
+			if (PX4_ISFINITE(cmd->param1) && (cmd->param1 >= -1) && (cmd->param1 < _mission_result.seq_total)) {
 
 				// switch to AUTO_MISSION and ARM
 				if ((TRANSITION_DENIED != main_state_transition(status_local, commander_state_s::MAIN_STATE_AUTO_MISSION, main_state_prev, &status_flags, &internal_state))