diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/jruby/RubyString.java b/core/src/main/java/org/jruby/RubyString.java
index 154d2360766..02a954b31b8 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/jruby/RubyString.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/jruby/RubyString.java
@@ -1348,7 +1348,7 @@ public boolean equals(Object other) {
 
     @SuppressWarnings("NonOverridingEquals")
     final boolean equals(RubyString other) {
-        return ((RubyString) other).value.equal(value);
+        return other.value.equal(value);
     }
 
     /** rb_obj_as_string