diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/util/file_count_test_base.py b/src/tests/ftest/util/file_count_test_base.py
index ef6c83dd275..58b1a49f0a5 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/util/file_count_test_base.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/util/file_count_test_base.py
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ def run_file_count(self):
                 try:
                     self.processes = ior_np
                     self.ppn = ior_ppn
-                    if self.ior_cmd.api.value == 'HDF5-VOL':
+                    if api == 'HDF5-VOL':
                         self.ior_cmd.api.update('HDF5')
                         self.run_ior_with_pool(
                             create_pool=False, plugin_path=hdf5_plugin_path, mount_dir=mount_dir)