diff --git a/doc/arm/Bv9ARM-book.xml b/doc/arm/Bv9ARM-book.xml
index f79264a873..03ed8b786e 100644
--- a/doc/arm/Bv9ARM-book.xml
+++ b/doc/arm/Bv9ARM-book.xml
@@ -8252,7 +8252,8 @@ avoid-v6-udp-ports { 40000; range 50000 60000; };
 		<para>
 		  The number of file descriptors reserved for TCP, stdio,
 		  etc.  This needs to be big enough to cover the number of
-		  interfaces <command>named</command> listens on, <command>tcp-clients</command> as well as
+		  interfaces <command>named</command> listens on plus
+		  <command>tcp-clients</command>, as well as
 		  to provide room for outgoing TCP queries and incoming zone
 		  transfers.  The default is <literal>512</literal>.
 		  The minimum value is <literal>128</literal> and the
diff --git a/lib/ns/client.c b/lib/ns/client.c
index 223eb1267c..6e58b7e350 100644
--- a/lib/ns/client.c
+++ b/lib/ns/client.c
@@ -3439,8 +3439,9 @@ client_accept(ns_client_t *client) {
 		 *
 		 * So, we check here to see if any other clients are
 		 * already servicing TCP queries on this interface (whether
-		 * accepting, reading, or processing). If we find at least
-		 * one, then it's okay *not* to call accept - we can let this
+		 * accepting, reading, or processing). If we find that at
+		 * least one client other than this one is active, then
+		 * it's okay *not* to call accept - we can let this
 		 * client go inactive and another will take over when it's
 		 * done.
 		 *
@@ -3454,7 +3455,8 @@ client_accept(ns_client_t *client) {
 		 * quota is tcp-clients plus the number of listening
 		 * interfaces plus 1.)
 		 */
-		exit = (atomic_load(&client->interface->ntcpactive) > 0U);
+		exit = (atomic_load(&client->interface->ntcpactive) >
+			(client->tcpactive ? 1U : 0U));
 		if (exit) {
 			client->newstate = NS_CLIENTSTATE_INACTIVE;
 			(void)exit_check(client);