diff --git a/scripts/irods/database_upgrade.py b/scripts/irods/database_upgrade.py
index 2d1e21a62f..2ddb5c0799 100644
--- a/scripts/irods/database_upgrade.py
+++ b/scripts/irods/database_upgrade.py
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ def run_update(irods_config, cursor):
         if irods_config.catalog_database_type == 'postgres':
             database_connect.execute_sql_statement(cursor, "alter table R_RULE_EXEC alter column exe_status type varchar(300);")
         elif irods_config.catalog_database_type == 'mysql':
-            database_connect.execute_sql_statement(cursor, "alter table R_RULE_EXEC modify exe_status varchar2(300);")
+            database_connect.execute_sql_statement(cursor, "alter table R_RULE_EXEC modify exe_status varchar(300);")
         elif irods_config.catalog_database_type == 'oracle':
             database_connect.execute_sql_statement(cursor, "alter table R_RULE_EXEC modify (exe_status varchar2(300));")