diff --git a/libbacktrace/elf.c b/libbacktrace/elf.c
index 5c7c21a8da7..8b82dd45875 100644
--- a/libbacktrace/elf.c
+++ b/libbacktrace/elf.c
@@ -1796,7 +1796,7 @@ elf_zlib_inflate (const unsigned char *pin, size_t sin, uint16_t *zdebug_table,
 	      /* An uncompressed block.  */
 
 	      /* If we've read ahead more than a byte, back up.  */
-	      while (bits > 8)
+	      while (bits >= 8)
 		{
 		  --pin;
 		  bits -= 8;