diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py b/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py
index 420942a691d..3be877b54b0 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ def valid_update_method_exchange(self, force):
                     os.unlink(self.root)
                     return True
                 else:
-                    return "symlink" not in self.update_methods
+                    return "symlink" not in self.update_method
 
         return True