diff --git a/src/lib/update/sect.c b/src/lib/update/sect.c
index e9247813..428104b9 100644
--- a/src/lib/update/sect.c
+++ b/src/lib/update/sect.c
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ upd_buildeff(struct natstr *np, register struct sctstr *sp, int *workp,
 	    }
 	}
     }
-    *workp = (*workp + 1) / 2 - buildeff_work;
+    *workp = (*workp + 1) / 2 + buildeff_work;
 
     return neweff;
 }