diff --git a/src/proto/alpha/contract_storage.ml b/src/proto/alpha/contract_storage.ml
index bd9e5cbf0..17744cc52 100644
--- a/src/proto/alpha/contract_storage.ml
+++ b/src/proto/alpha/contract_storage.ml
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ let originate c nonce ~balance ~manager ?script ~delegate ~spendable ~delegatabl
   create c nonce ~balance ~manager ~delegate ?script ~spendable ~delegatable >>=? fun (c, contract, nonce) ->
   (* check contract fee *)
   contract_fee c contract >>=? fun fee ->
-  fail_unless Tez_repr.(balance > fee)
+  fail_unless Tez_repr.(balance >= fee)
     (Initial_amount_too_low (contract, balance, fee)) >>=? fun () ->
   return (c, contract, nonce)
 
diff --git a/test/proto_alpha/test_origination.ml b/test/proto_alpha/test_origination.ml
index 5fe27f1db..b57ecf9da 100644
--- a/test/proto_alpha/test_origination.ml
+++ b/test/proto_alpha/test_origination.ml
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ let run blkid ({ b1 ; b2 ; _ } : Helpers.Account.bootstrap_accounts) =
     ~src:b1
     ~manager_pkh:foo.pkh
     ~spendable:true
-    ~balance:100L () >>= fun result ->
+    ~balance:99L () >>= fun result ->
   Assert.initial_amount_too_low ~msg:__LOC__ result ;
 
   (* Origination with amount > 1 tez *)
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ let run blkid ({ b1 ; b2 ; _ } : Helpers.Account.bootstrap_accounts) =
     ~src:b1
     ~manager_pkh:foo.pkh
     ~spendable:true
-    ~balance:101L () >>= fun _result ->
+    ~balance:100L () >>= fun _result ->
   (* TODO: test if new contract exists *)
 
   (* Non-delegatable contract *)