diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as
index d95c3981..e6640278 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ package com.threerings.parlor.client {
 
 import com.threerings.util.ArrayUtil;
 import com.threerings.util.ObserverList;
+import com.threerings.util.Util;
 
 import com.threerings.presents.client.BasicDirector;
 import com.threerings.presents.client.Client;
@@ -314,8 +315,7 @@ public class TableDirector extends BasicDirector
         }
 
         // if nothing changed, bail now
-        if (oldTable == _ourTable ||
-            (oldTable != null && oldTable.equals(_ourTable))) {
+        if (Util.equals(oldTable, _ourTable)) {
             return;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java
index 14262272..6f423e24 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 package com.threerings.parlor.client;
 
 import com.samskivert.util.ListUtil;
+import com.samskivert.util.ObjectUtil;
 import com.samskivert.util.ObserverList;
 
 import com.threerings.presents.client.BasicDirector;
@@ -309,8 +310,7 @@ public class TableDirector extends BasicDirector
         }
 
         // if nothing changed, bail now
-        if (oldTable == _ourTable ||
-            (oldTable != null && oldTable.equals(_ourTable))) {
+        if (ObjectUtil.equals(oldTable, _ourTable)) {
             return;
         }