diff --git a/modules/nonfree/src/surf.cpp b/modules/nonfree/src/surf.cpp
index 2690b35993..d70624e313 100644
--- a/modules/nonfree/src/surf.cpp
+++ b/modules/nonfree/src/surf.cpp
@@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ struct SURFInvoker
                         besty = sumy;
                     }
                 }
-                descriptor_dir = fastAtan2( besty, bestx );
+                descriptor_dir = fastAtan2( -besty, bestx );
             }
             kp.angle = descriptor_dir;
             if( !descriptors || !descriptors->data )