diff --git a/fs/file_table.c b/fs/file_table.c
index d17fd691..287fdce 100644
--- a/fs/file_table.c
+++ b/fs/file_table.c
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@
 		 * percpu_counters are inaccurate.  Do an expensive check before
 		 * we go and fail.
 		 */
-		if (percpu_counter_sum(&nr_files) >= files_stat.max_files)
+		if (percpu_counter_sum_positive(&nr_files) >= files_stat.max_files)
 			goto over;
 	}