diff --git a/main.c b/main.c
index 779a2156..50790f34 100644
--- a/main.c
+++ b/main.c
@@ -2945,6 +2945,9 @@ static bool queue_request(struct thr_info *thr, bool needed)
 	if (rq >= maxq || rs >= maxq)
 		return true;
 
+	if (rs > rq)
+		goto out;
+
 	/* fill out work request message */
 	wc = calloc(1, sizeof(*wc));
 	if (unlikely(!wc)) {
@@ -2973,6 +2976,7 @@ static bool queue_request(struct thr_info *thr, bool needed)
 		workio_cmd_free(wc);
 		return false;
 	}
+out:
 	inc_queued();
 	return true;
 }