diff --git a/core/java/src/net/i2p/crypto/ECConstants.java b/core/java/src/net/i2p/crypto/ECConstants.java
index 2e9de224d..a3d563f87 100644
--- a/core/java/src/net/i2p/crypto/ECConstants.java
+++ b/core/java/src/net/i2p/crypto/ECConstants.java
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class ECConstants {
             log("BC provider already loaded");
             loaded = true;
         }
-        BC_AVAILABLE = true;
+        BC_AVAILABLE = loaded;
     }
 
     public static boolean isBCAvailable() { return BC_AVAILABLE; }