diff --git a/src/vt/messaging/message/smart_ptr.h b/src/vt/messaging/message/smart_ptr.h
index f93b8a8fcb..47118e1085 100644
--- a/src/vt/messaging/message/smart_ptr.h
+++ b/src/vt/messaging/message/smart_ptr.h
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ struct MsgSharedPtr final {
   template <
     typename SerializerT,
     typename = std::enable_if_t<
-      std::is_same<SerializerT, checkpoint::Footprinter>::value
+      checkpoint::is_footprinter_v<SerializerT>
     >
   >
   void serialize(SerializerT& s) {