diff --git a/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_record/association_matchers/model_reflection.rb b/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_record/association_matchers/model_reflection.rb
index da3a2a74f..92e1f394b 100644
--- a/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_record/association_matchers/model_reflection.rb
+++ b/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_record/association_matchers/model_reflection.rb
@@ -15,10 +15,8 @@ def initialize(reflection)
           def associated_class
             associated_class = reflection.klass
 
-            if subject.strict_loading_by_default
-              unless reflection.options[:strict_loading] == false
-                reflection.options[:strict_loading] = true
-              end
+            if subject.strict_loading_by_default && !(reflection.options[:strict_loading] == false)
+              reflection.options[:strict_loading] = true
             end
 
             associated_class
diff --git a/spec/unit/shoulda/matchers/active_record/association_matcher_spec.rb b/spec/unit/shoulda/matchers/active_record/association_matcher_spec.rb
index 1b9eedede..a5754298e 100644
--- a/spec/unit/shoulda/matchers/active_record/association_matcher_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/unit/shoulda/matchers/active_record/association_matcher_spec.rb
@@ -1200,6 +1200,41 @@ def belonging_to_non_existent_class(model_name, assoc_name, options = {})
     end
 
     context 'when the application is configured with strict_loading disabled by default' do
+      it 'accepts an association with a matching :strict_loading option' do
+        with_strict_loading_by_default_disabled do
+          expect(having_many_children).
+            to have_many(:children).strict_loading(false)
+        end
+      end
+
+      it 'rejects an association with a non-matching :strict_loading option without explicit value with the correct message' do
+        with_strict_loading_by_default_disabled do
+          message = [
+            'Expected Parent to have a has_many association called children ',
+            '(children should have strict_loading set to true)',
+          ].join
+
+          expect {
+            expect(having_many_children).
+              to have_many(:children).strict_loading
+          }.to fail_with_message(message)
+        end
+      end
+
+      it 'rejects an association with a non-matching :strict_loading option with the correct message' do
+        with_strict_loading_by_default_disabled do
+          message = [
+            'Expected Parent to have a has_many association called children ',
+            '(children should have strict_loading set to true)',
+          ].join
+
+          expect {
+            expect(having_many_children).
+              to have_many(:children).strict_loading(true)
+          }.to fail_with_message(message)
+        end
+      end
+
       context 'when the association is configured with a strict_loading constraint' do
         context 'when qualified with strict_loading(true)' do
           it 'accepts an association with a matching :strict_loading option' do
@@ -1239,7 +1274,7 @@ def belonging_to_non_existent_class(model_name, assoc_name, options = {})
             end
           end
 
-          it 'rejects an association with a matching :strict_loading option without explicit value with the correct message' do
+          it 'rejects an association with a non-matching :strict_loading option without explicit value with the correct message' do
             with_strict_loading_by_default_disabled do
               message = [
                 'Expected Parent to have a has_many association called children ',
@@ -1370,6 +1405,34 @@ def belonging_to_non_existent_class(model_name, assoc_name, options = {})
     end
 
     context 'when the application is configured with strict_loading enabled by default' do
+      it 'accepts an association with a matching :strict_loading option' do
+        with_strict_loading_by_default_enabled do
+          expect(having_many_children).
+            to have_many(:children).strict_loading(true)
+        end
+      end
+
+      it 'accepts an association with a matching :strict_loading option without explicit value' do
+        with_strict_loading_by_default_enabled do
+          expect(having_many_children).
+            to have_many(:children).strict_loading
+        end
+      end
+
+      it 'rejects an association with a non-matching :strict_loading option with the correct message' do
+        with_strict_loading_by_default_enabled do
+          message = [
+            'Expected Parent to have a has_many association called children ',
+            '(children should have strict_loading set to false)',
+          ].join
+
+          expect {
+            expect(having_many_children).
+              to have_many(:children).strict_loading(false)
+          }.to fail_with_message(message)
+        end
+      end
+
       context 'when the association is configured with a strict_loading constraint' do
         context 'when qualified with strict_loading(true)' do
           it 'accepts an association with a matching :strict_loading option' do
@@ -1409,7 +1472,7 @@ def belonging_to_non_existent_class(model_name, assoc_name, options = {})
             end
           end
 
-          it 'rejects an association with a matching :strict_loading option without explicit value with the correct message' do
+          it 'rejects an association with a non-matching :strict_loading option without explicit value with the correct message' do
             with_strict_loading_by_default_enabled do
               message = [
                 'Expected Parent to have a has_many association called children ',