diff --git a/lisp/org.el b/lisp/org.el
index ce68f4692..bd6fd3146 100644
--- a/lisp/org.el
+++ b/lisp/org.el
@@ -11337,7 +11337,7 @@ or a character."
 		     (= (upcase org-priority-lowest) org-priority-lowest))
 	    (setq new (upcase new)))
 	  (cond ((equal new ?\s) (setq remove t))
-		((or (< (upcase new) org-priority-highest) (> (upcase new) org-priority-lowest))
+		((or (> (upcase new) org-priority-highest) (< (upcase new) org-priority-lowest))
 		 (user-error
 		  (if nump
 		      "Priority must be between `%s' and `%s'"
@@ -11364,8 +11364,8 @@ or a character."
 			    org-priority-default
 			  (1+ org-priority-default))))))
 	 (t (user-error "Invalid action")))
-	(when (or (< (upcase new) org-priority-highest)
-		  (> (upcase new) org-priority-lowest))
+	(when (or (> (upcase new) org-priority-highest)
+		  (< (upcase new) org-priority-lowest))
 	  (if (and (memq action '(up down))
 		   (not have) (not (eq last-command this-command)))
 	      ;; `new' is from default priority