diff --git a/jetty-security/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/security/SecurityHandler.java b/jetty-security/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/security/SecurityHandler.java
index da34f2d6337..538533c6581 100644
--- a/jetty-security/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/security/SecurityHandler.java
+++ b/jetty-security/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/security/SecurityHandler.java
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ public abstract class SecurityHandler extends HandlerWrapper implements Authenti
             if (_identityService==null)
                 _identityService=findIdentityService();
             
-            if (_identityService==null && _realmName!=null)
+            if (_identityService==null && _loginService!=null)
                 _identityService=new DefaultIdentityService();
         }