diff --git a/CHANGELOG.develop b/CHANGELOG.develop
index eb2a4747d..d7d1977a2 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.develop
+++ b/CHANGELOG.develop
@@ -1945,6 +1945,9 @@ Other:
   - ~SPC m r g t~ to generate =toString= method
   - ~SPC m r g o~ to generate method overrides
   - ~SPC m c p~ create spring boot project
+- Fixes:
+  - Enabled =lsp-java= when the =java-backend= is =nil= and the =lsp= layer is
+    enabled (thanks to Ivan Yonchovski)
 **** Javascript
 - Improvements:
   - Leverage js-doc Yasnippet integration if available (thanks to Andriy Kmit')
diff --git a/layers/+lang/java/packages.el b/layers/+lang/java/packages.el
index 0c5f0794c..3670a7ad6 100644
--- a/layers/+lang/java/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+lang/java/packages.el
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@
 (defun java/init-lsp-java ()
   (use-package lsp-java
     :defer t
-    :if (eq java-backend 'lsp)
+    :if (eq (spacemacs//java-backend) 'lsp)
     :config
     (progn
       ;; key bindings