diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/tts.py
index b45c63ef7..76c7a1a8a 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/tts.py
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ class SpeechmaticsTTSService(TTSService):
                             attempt += 1
 
                             # Check if we've exceeded the maximum number of attempts
-                            if attempt > self._params.max_retries:
+                            if attempt >= self._params.max_retries:
                                 raise ValueError()
 
                             # Report error frame