diff --git a/include/jsoncons/json_parser.hpp b/include/jsoncons/json_parser.hpp
index a7efe13b0d..3b9855fced 100644
--- a/include/jsoncons/json_parser.hpp
+++ b/include/jsoncons/json_parser.hpp
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ class basic_json_parser : public ser_context
     {
         string_buffer_.reserve(initial_string_buffer_capacity);
 
-        std::size_t initial_stack_capacity = (options.max_nesting_depth()+2) <= default_initial_stack_capacity ? (options.max_nesting_depth()+2) : default_initial_stack_capacity;
+        std::size_t initial_stack_capacity = options.max_nesting_depth() <= (default_initial_stack_capacity-2) ? (options.max_nesting_depth()+2) : default_initial_stack_capacity;
         state_stack_.reserve(initial_stack_capacity );
         push_state(json_parse_state::root);