diff --git a/libavcodec/h264.c b/libavcodec/h264.c
index c3771f2b68..205f8018ec 100644
--- a/libavcodec/h264.c
+++ b/libavcodec/h264.c
@@ -7167,7 +7167,7 @@ int ff_h264_decode_seq_parameter_set(H264Context *h){
     }
 
     sps->ref_frame_count= get_ue_golomb_31(&s->gb);
-    if(sps->ref_frame_count > MAX_PICTURE_COUNT-2 || sps->ref_frame_count >= 32U){
+    if(sps->ref_frame_count > MAX_PICTURE_COUNT-2 || sps->ref_frame_count > 16U){
         av_log(h->s.avctx, AV_LOG_ERROR, "too many reference frames\n");
         goto fail;
     }