diff --git a/addons/im_livechat/models/im_livechat_channel.py b/addons/im_livechat/models/im_livechat_channel.py
index 9881f0c4172..8af1e6e62a1 100644
--- a/addons/im_livechat/models/im_livechat_channel.py
+++ b/addons/im_livechat/models/im_livechat_channel.py
@@ -187,23 +187,32 @@ class ImLivechatChannel(models.Model):
             operator is in a call. The list is ordered by the number of active
             chats (ascending) and whether the operator is in a call
             (descending).
-        :param operators: list of operators to choose from
+        :param operators: recordset of :class:`ResUsers` operators to choose from.
+        :return: the :class:`ResUsers` record for the chosen operator
         """
         if not operators:
             return False
-        active_operator_ids = set(map(lambda s: s['livechat_operator_id'], operator_statuses))
-        inactive_operators = [
-            operator for operator in operators if operator.partner_id.id not in active_operator_ids
+
+        # 1) only consider operators in the list to choose from
+        operator_statuses = [
+            s for s in operator_statuses if s['livechat_operator_id'] in set(operators.partner_id.ids)
         ]
-        if inactive_operators:
-            return random.choice(inactive_operators)
-        count, in_call = itemgetter('count', 'in_call')(operator_statuses[0])
-        i = 1
-        while i < len(operator_statuses) and operator_statuses[i]['in_call'] == in_call and operator_statuses[i]['count'] == count:
-            i += 1
-        less_active_operator_id = random.choice(operator_statuses[:i])['livechat_operator_id']
-        # convert the selected 'partner_id' to its corresponding res.users
-        return next(operator for operator in operators if operator.partner_id.id == less_active_operator_id)
+
+        # 2) try to select an inactive op, i.e. one w/ no active status (no recent chat)
+        active_op_partner_ids = {s['livechat_operator_id'] for s in operator_statuses}
+        candidates = operators.filtered(lambda o: o.partner_id.id not in active_op_partner_ids)
+        if candidates:
+            return random.choice(candidates)
+
+        # 3) otherwise select least active ops, based on status ordering (count + in_call)
+        best_status = operator_statuses[0]
+        best_status_op_partner_ids = {
+            s['livechat_operator_id']
+            for s in operator_statuses
+            if (s['count'], s['in_call']) == (best_status['count'], best_status['in_call'])
+        }
+        candidates = operators.filtered(lambda o: o.partner_id.id in best_status_op_partner_ids)
+        return random.choice(candidates)
 
     def _get_operator(self, previous_operator_id=None, lang=None, country_id=None):
         """ Return an operator for a livechat. Try to return the previous
diff --git a/addons/im_livechat/tests/test_get_operator.py b/addons/im_livechat/tests/test_get_operator.py
index 26da74003b3..95bc97049da 100644
--- a/addons/im_livechat/tests/test_get_operator.py
+++ b/addons/im_livechat/tests/test_get_operator.py
@@ -66,6 +66,20 @@ class TestGetOperator(HttpCase):
         self.assertEqual(fr_operator, livechat_channel._get_operator(lang="fr_FR"))
         self.assertEqual(en_operator, livechat_channel._get_operator(lang="en_US"))
 
+    def test_get_by_lang_both_operator_active(self):
+        fr_operator = self._create_operator("fr_FR")
+        en_operator = self._create_operator("en_US")
+        livechat_channel = self.env["im_livechat.channel"].create(
+            {
+                "name": "Livechat Channel",
+                "user_ids": [fr_operator.id, en_operator.id],
+            }
+        )
+        self._create_chat(livechat_channel, fr_operator)
+        self._create_chat(livechat_channel, en_operator)
+        self._create_chat(livechat_channel, en_operator)
+        self.assertEqual(en_operator, livechat_channel._get_operator(lang="en_US"))
+
     def test_get_by_lang_no_operator_matching_lang(self):
         fr_operator = self._create_operator("fr_FR")
         livechat_channel = self.env["im_livechat.channel"].create(