diff --git a/lib/central_logger/mongo_logger.rb b/lib/central_logger/mongo_logger.rb
index 0fbab39..187b1cf 100644
--- a/lib/central_logger/mongo_logger.rb
+++ b/lib/central_logger/mongo_logger.rb
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def add_metadata(options={})
     end
 
     def add(severity, message = nil, progname = nil, &block)
-      if @level <= severity && message.present? && @mongo_record.present?
+      if level <= severity && message.present? && @mongo_record.present?
         # do not modify the original message used by the buffered logger
         msg = logging_colorized? ? message.to_s.gsub(/(\e(\[([\d;]*[mz]?))?)?/, '').strip : message
         @mongo_record[:messages][LOG_LEVEL_SYM[severity]] << msg