diff --git a/src/libutil/hash.cc b/src/libutil/hash.cc
index 2f2ed8138..7064e96e6 100644
--- a/src/libutil/hash.cc
+++ b/src/libutil/hash.cc
@@ -52,11 +52,11 @@ bool Hash::operator == (const Hash & h2) const
 
 std::strong_ordering Hash::operator <=> (const Hash & h) const
 {
-    if (auto cmp = algo <=> h.algo; cmp != 0) return cmp;
     if (auto cmp = hashSize <=> h.hashSize; cmp != 0) return cmp;
     for (unsigned int i = 0; i < hashSize; i++) {
         if (auto cmp = hash[i] <=> h.hash[i]; cmp != 0) return cmp;
     }
+    if (auto cmp = algo <=> h.algo; cmp != 0) return cmp;
     return std::strong_ordering::equivalent;
 }