diff --git a/loolwsd/LOOLBroker.cpp b/loolwsd/LOOLBroker.cpp
index 8096e7bf4..3f32483f1 100644
--- a/loolwsd/LOOLBroker.cpp
+++ b/loolwsd/LOOLBroker.cpp
@@ -683,7 +683,6 @@ static int createLibreOfficeKit(const bool sharePages,
     Log::info() << "Adding Kit #" << childCounter << ", PID: " << childPID << Log::end;
 
     _childProcesses[childPID] = std::make_shared<ChildProcess>(childPID, -1, nFIFOWriter);
-    --forkCounter;
     return childPID;
 }
 
@@ -919,6 +918,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         exit(-1);
     }
 
+    if (numPreSpawnedChildren > 1)
+        forkCounter = numPreSpawnedChildren - 1;
+
     if ( (readerChild = open(FIFO_BROKER.c_str(), O_RDONLY) ) < 0 )
     {
         Log::error("Error: pipe opened for reading.");