diff --git a/fs/jfs/jfs_extent.c b/fs/jfs/jfs_extent.c
index ae99a7e232ee..dd74a08e5255 100644
--- a/fs/jfs/jfs_extent.c
+++ b/fs/jfs/jfs_extent.c
@@ -311,7 +311,12 @@ extBalloc(struct inode *ip, s64 hint, s64 * nblocks, s64 * blkno)
 	 * blocks in the map. in that case, we'll start off with the
 	 * maximum free.
 	 */
-	max = (s64) 1 << bmp->db_maxfreebud;
+
+	/* give up if no space left */
+	if (bmp->db_maxfreebud == -1)
+		max = 0;
+	else
+		max = (s64) 1 << bmp->db_maxfreebud;
 	if (*nblocks >= max && *nblocks > nbperpage)
 		nb = nblks = (max > nbperpage) ? max : nbperpage;
 	else