A comparison of two two-term separable Λ-N potentials which have been used in three-body calculations of the hypertriton binding energy is reported. The potentials compared are approximately on-shell T matrix equivalent, but yield quite different values for the hypertriton binding energy. It is shown that the radial wave function for one of the potentials has an extra node due to a spurious state. The comparison is based on a Fredholm determinant approach to the radial wave equation for a nonlocal potential. NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Two-term separable Λ-N potentials, Fredholm determinants, spurious states, extra nodes and separable potential three-body calculations. © 1978 The American Physical Society.