diff --git a/src/compiler/checker.ts b/src/compiler/checker.ts
index 856e6bcd5d4..3bf8810a844 100644
--- a/src/compiler/checker.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/checker.ts
@@ -9889,7 +9889,7 @@ namespace ts {
             // a void-like type and a type known to be non-void-like, or
             // a non-primitive type and a type known to be primitive.
             if (includes & TypeFlags.Never ||
-                includes & TypeFlags.Nullable && includes & (TypeFlags.Object | TypeFlags.NonPrimitive | TypeFlags.IncludesEmptyObject) ||
+                strictNullChecks && includes & TypeFlags.Nullable && includes & (TypeFlags.Object | TypeFlags.NonPrimitive | TypeFlags.IncludesEmptyObject) ||
                 includes & TypeFlags.NonPrimitive && includes & (TypeFlags.DisjointDomains & ~TypeFlags.NonPrimitive) ||
                 includes & TypeFlags.StringLike && includes & (TypeFlags.DisjointDomains & ~TypeFlags.StringLike) ||
                 includes & TypeFlags.NumberLike && includes & (TypeFlags.DisjointDomains & ~TypeFlags.NumberLike) ||