diff --git a/lib/mayaUsd/fileio/jobs/readJob.cpp b/lib/mayaUsd/fileio/jobs/readJob.cpp
index ad2d702c84..d433cac046 100644
--- a/lib/mayaUsd/fileio/jobs/readJob.cpp
+++ b/lib/mayaUsd/fileio/jobs/readJob.cpp
@@ -495,8 +495,13 @@ void UsdMaya_ReadJob::_ConvertUpAxisAndUnits(const UsdStageRefPtr& stage)
 
     // Convert units if required and different between Maya and USD.
     const bool convertUnits = mArgs.unit;
-    conversion.mayaMetersPerUnit
-        = UsdMayaUtil::ConvertMDistanceUnitToUsdGeomLinearUnit(MDistance::internalUnit());
+    // Note: when changing preference, we need to compare to the UI units.
+    //       When adding scaling transforms, we need to compare to internal units.
+    const MDistance::Unit mayaUnits
+        = (mArgs.axisAndUnitMethod == UsdMayaJobImportArgsTokens->overwritePrefs)
+        ? MDistance::uiUnit()
+        : MDistance::internalUnit();
+    conversion.mayaMetersPerUnit = UsdMayaUtil::ConvertMDistanceUnitToUsdGeomLinearUnit(mayaUnits);
     conversion.usdMetersPerUnit = UsdGeomGetStageMetersPerUnit(stage);
     conversion.needUnitsConversion
         = (convertUnits && (conversion.mayaMetersPerUnit != conversion.usdMetersPerUnit));
diff --git a/lib/mayaUsd/utils/utilSerialization.cpp b/lib/mayaUsd/utils/utilSerialization.cpp
index 98f3300f6d..8a3ddc8155 100644
--- a/lib/mayaUsd/utils/utilSerialization.cpp
+++ b/lib/mayaUsd/utils/utilSerialization.cpp
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ void setLayerUpAxisAndUnits(const SdfLayerRefPtr& layer)
         = UsdMayaUtil::ConvertMDistanceUnitToUsdGeomLinearUnit(MDistance::internalUnit());
 
     // Note: code similar to what UsdGeomSetStageUpAxis -> UsdStage::SetMetadata end-up doing,
-    // but without having to have a stage. We basically set metadat on the virtual root object
+    // but without having to have a stage. We basically set metadata on the virtual root object
     // of the layer.
     layer->SetField(
         PXR_NS::SdfPath::AbsoluteRootPath(), PXR_NS::UsdGeomTokens->metersPerUnit, metersPerUnit);