--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver/dns/c_ares/dns_resolver_ares.cc
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver/dns/c_ares/dns_resolver_ares.cc
@@ -811,7 +811,7 @@
 };
 
 bool ShouldUseAres(y_absl::string_view resolver_env) {
-  return resolver_env.empty() || y_absl::EqualsIgnoreCase(resolver_env, "ares");
+  return !resolver_env.empty() && y_absl::EqualsIgnoreCase(resolver_env, "ares");
 }
 
 bool UseAresDnsResolver() {