diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/apache/struts2/dispatcher/filter/StrutsExecuteFilter.java b/core/src/main/java/org/apache/struts2/dispatcher/filter/StrutsExecuteFilter.java
index 0e479c449..eeaf3abb9 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/apache/struts2/dispatcher/filter/StrutsExecuteFilter.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/apache/struts2/dispatcher/filter/StrutsExecuteFilter.java
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ public class StrutsExecuteFilter implements StrutsStatics, Filter {
     }
 
     private boolean excludeUrl(HttpServletRequest request) {
-        return request.getAttribute(StrutsPrepareFilter.REQUEST_EXCLUDED_FROM_ACTION_MAPPING) != null;
+        return Boolean.TRUE.equals(request.getAttribute(StrutsPrepareFilter.REQUEST_EXCLUDED_FROM_ACTION_MAPPING));
     }
 
     public void destroy() {
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/apache/struts2/dispatcher/filter/StrutsPrepareFilter.java b/core/src/main/java/org/apache/struts2/dispatcher/filter/StrutsPrepareFilter.java
index b35d6cb10..e8a446cca 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/apache/struts2/dispatcher/filter/StrutsPrepareFilter.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/apache/struts2/dispatcher/filter/StrutsPrepareFilter.java
@@ -80,8 +80,9 @@ public class StrutsPrepareFilter implements StrutsStatics, Filter {
 
         try {
             if (excludedPatterns != null && prepare.isUrlExcluded(request, excludedPatterns)) {
-                request.setAttribute(REQUEST_EXCLUDED_FROM_ACTION_MAPPING, new Object());
+                request.setAttribute(REQUEST_EXCLUDED_FROM_ACTION_MAPPING, true);
             } else {
+                request.setAttribute(REQUEST_EXCLUDED_FROM_ACTION_MAPPING, false);
                 prepare.setEncodingAndLocale(request, response);
                 prepare.createActionContext(request, response);
                 prepare.assignDispatcherToThread();