diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/MetaMediaManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/MetaMediaManager.java
index ca6292a3..7c484404 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/MetaMediaManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/MetaMediaManager.java
@@ -116,7 +116,8 @@ public class MetaMediaManager
             return;
         }
 
-        if (_paused = paused) {
+        _paused = paused;
+        if (_paused) {
             // make a note of our pause time
             _pauseTime = _framemgr.getTimeStamp();
 
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/util/unsafe/Unsafe.java b/src/java/com/threerings/util/unsafe/Unsafe.java
index 88d8014f..34196681 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/util/unsafe/Unsafe.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/util/unsafe/Unsafe.java
@@ -51,7 +51,8 @@ public class Unsafe
             }
 
             if (_initialized && enabled != _gcEnabled) {
-                if (_gcEnabled = enabled) {
+                _gcEnabled = enabled;
+                if (_gcEnabled) {
                     enableGC();
                 } else {
                     disableGC();