diff --git a/linux-core/via_dmablit.c b/linux-core/via_dmablit.c
index 2f50837..f9d90fd 100644
--- a/linux-core/via_dmablit.c
+++ b/linux-core/via_dmablit.c
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ via_init_dmablit(drm_device_t *dev)
 		blitq->head = 0;
 		blitq->cur = 0;
 		blitq->serviced = 0;
-		blitq->num_free = VIA_NUM_BLIT_SLOTS;
+		blitq->num_free = VIA_NUM_BLIT_SLOTS - 1;
 		blitq->num_outstanding = 0;
 		blitq->is_active = 0;
 		blitq->aborting = 0;