diff --git a/packages/graph/src/-private/graph/operations/merge-identifier.ts b/packages/graph/src/-private/graph/operations/merge-identifier.ts
index 1415fe86240..e9bb1b65616 100644
--- a/packages/graph/src/-private/graph/operations/merge-identifier.ts
+++ b/packages/graph/src/-private/graph/operations/merge-identifier.ts
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ function mergeBelongsTo(graph: Graph, rel: BelongsToRelationship, op: MergeOpera
     rel.remoteState = op.value;
   }
   if (rel.localState === op.record) {
-    rel.localState = op.record;
+    rel.localState = op.value;
     notifyChange(graph, rel.identifier, rel.definition.key);
   }
 }