diff --git a/python/nav/models/profiles.py b/python/nav/models/profiles.py
index 4794258bb4..969bd37b49 100644
--- a/python/nav/models/profiles.py
+++ b/python/nav/models/profiles.py
@@ -691,6 +691,7 @@ class Operator(models.Model):
     # cased.
     OPERATOR_MAPPING = {
         EQUALS: '__exact',
+        NOT_EQUAL: '',  # exclusion is special-cased by Filter.check()
         GREATER: '__gt',
         GREATER_EQ: '__gte',
         LESS: '__lt',