diff --git a/imperative/python/megengine/utils/network.py b/imperative/python/megengine/utils/network.py
index 3409331e..16c3b59b 100644
--- a/imperative/python/megengine/utils/network.py
+++ b/imperative/python/megengine/utils/network.py
@@ -371,7 +371,9 @@ class Network:
                 if repl_var is var:
                     continue
                 for opnode in var.users:
-                    assert var in opnode.inputs
+                    # use method 'is' instead of 'in' to avoid
+                    # compare VarNode use elemwise equal
+                    assert any([var is _ for _ in opnode.inputs])
                     opnode.inputs = [repl_var if var is i else i for i in opnode.inputs]
                     if opnode not in repl_var.users:
                         repl_var.users.append(opnode)
diff --git a/imperative/python/test/unit/utils/test_network.py b/imperative/python/test/unit/utils/test_network.py
index ebf62fa0..f223d69d 100644
--- a/imperative/python/test/unit/utils/test_network.py
+++ b/imperative/python/test/unit/utils/test_network.py
@@ -511,3 +511,50 @@ def test_set_symbolic_shape():
     set_symbolic_shape(False)
     assert var_a.shape == var_a.partial_shape
     set_symbolic_shape(saved_symbolic_shape)
+
+
+def test_replace_var_in_different_network():
+
+    a = Tensor([1, 2])
+    b = Tensor([3, 4])
+
+    @trace(symbolic=True, capture_as_const=True)
+    def fwd(a, b):
+        return (a + b) * 2
+
+    @trace(symbolic=True, capture_as_const=True)
+    def fwd1(c, d):
+        return c + d
+
+    fwd(a, b)
+    orig_model = io.BytesIO()
+    fwd.dump(
+        orig_model, arg_names=["a", "b"], output_names="o", optimize_for_inference=False
+    )
+    orig_model.seek(0)
+
+    fwd1(a, b)
+    orig_model1 = io.BytesIO()
+    fwd1.dump(
+        orig_model1,
+        arg_names=["c", "d"],
+        output_names="o",
+        optimize_for_inference=False,
+    )
+    orig_model1.seek(0)
+
+    graph = Net.load(orig_model)
+    graph1 = Net.load(orig_model1)
+    vara = graph.var_filter.name("a").as_unique()
+    varb = graph.var_filter.name("b").as_unique()
+    varo = graph1.var_filter.name("o").as_unique()
+
+    graph.replace_vars({vara: varo, varb: varo})
+
+    modified_model = io.BytesIO()
+    graph.dump(modified_model)
+    modified_model.seek(0)
+    load_graph = GraphInference(modified_model)
+
+    out = load_graph.run(a, b)
+    np.testing.assert_equal(out["o"], [16, 24])