diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/jobs/new_job/simple/components/influencers_selection/influencers_selection_directive.js b/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/jobs/new_job/simple/components/influencers_selection/influencers_selection_directive.js
index 6c4747272d5df..7ebf2410de6c2 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/jobs/new_job/simple/components/influencers_selection/influencers_selection_directive.js
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/jobs/new_job/simple/components/influencers_selection/influencers_selection_directive.js
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ module.directive('mlInfluencersSelection', function () {
 
       function getNonDefaultFields(defaultFields) {
         return $scope.formConfig.influencerFields.filter(f => {
-          return (defaultFields.find(sp => sp === f) === undefined);
+          return (defaultFields.find(sp => sp.name === f.name) === undefined);
         });
       }