diff --git a/symmer/operators/base.py b/symmer/operators/base.py
index ba144337..3c853d4d 100644
--- a/symmer/operators/base.py
+++ b/symmer/operators/base.py
@@ -1130,11 +1130,12 @@ def is_noncontextual(self) -> bool:
                 # check for overlap (array of ones == no overlap)
                 return np.all(np.sum(clique_mask, axis=0) == 1)
         else:
+            gens = self.generators
+            if check_adjmat_noncontextual(gens.adjacency_matrix):
+                return True
             from symmer.utils import get_generators_including_xz_products
             gens_xyz = get_generators_including_xz_products(self)
-            gens = self.generators
-            return check_adjmat_noncontextual(gens.adjacency_matrix) or check_adjmat_noncontextual(
-                gens_xyz.adjacency_matrix)
+            return check_adjmat_noncontextual(gens_xyz.adjacency_matrix)