diff --git a/verify.c b/verify.c
index 5fe78c8..6dd7f6a 100644
--- a/verify.c
+++ b/verify.c
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
 	unsigned int hdr_inc;
 
 	hdr_inc = io_u->buflen;
-	if (td->o.verify_interval)
+	if (td->o.verify_interval && td->o.verify_interval <= io_u->buflen)
 		hdr_inc = td->o.verify_interval;
 
 	return hdr_inc;