diff --git a/ginga/web/jupyterw/JpHelp.py b/ginga/web/jupyterw/JpHelp.py
index fb15c0bad..ee5cfe04a 100644
--- a/ginga/web/jupyterw/JpHelp.py
+++ b/ginga/web/jupyterw/JpHelp.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def remove_timer(self, timer):
 
     def reset_timer(self, timer, time_sec):
         with self.timer_lock:
-            if timer not in self.timer:
+            if timer.name not in self.timer:
                 self.timer[timer.name] = timer
             self.logger.debug("setting timer...")
             timer.deadline = time.time() + time_sec