diff --git a/src/afs/afs_daemons.c b/src/afs/afs_daemons.c
index e6d2590b2d..1b22812c2f 100644
--- a/src/afs/afs_daemons.c
+++ b/src/afs/afs_daemons.c
@@ -235,15 +235,13 @@ afs_Daemon(void)
 
         if (afsd_dynamic_vcaches && (last5MinCheck + 300 < now)) {
             /* start with trying to drop us back to our base usage */
-            int anumber;
-            if (afs_vcount <= afs_cacheStats)
-                anumber = VCACHE_FREE;
-            else
-                anumber = VCACHE_FREE + (afs_vcount - afs_cacheStats);
+            int anumber = VCACHE_FREE + (afs_vcount - afs_cacheStats);
 
-	    ObtainWriteLock(&afs_xvcache, 734);
-            afs_ShakeLooseVCaches(anumber);
-	    ReleaseWriteLock(&afs_xvcache);
+	    if (anumber > 0) {
+		ObtainWriteLock(&afs_xvcache, 734);
+		afs_ShakeLooseVCaches(anumber);
+		ReleaseWriteLock(&afs_xvcache);
+	    }
             last5MinCheck = now;
         }