diff --git a/masque/utils/comparisons.py b/masque/utils/comparisons.py
index 63981c9..ffb7206 100644
--- a/masque/utils/comparisons.py
+++ b/masque/utils/comparisons.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def annotations_eq(aa: annotations_t, bb: annotations_t) -> bool:
     keys_a = tuple(sorted(aa.keys()))
     keys_b = tuple(sorted(bb.keys()))
     if keys_a != keys_b:
-        return keys_a < keys_b
+        return False
 
     for key in keys_a:
         va = aa[key]