diff --git a/examples/service_cores/main.c b/examples/service_cores/main.c
index c5753cc52d..e0cb4f9acb 100644
--- a/examples/service_cores/main.c
+++ b/examples/service_cores/main.c
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ apply_profile(int profile_id)
 	struct profile *p = &profiles[profile_id];
 	const uint8_t core_off = 1;
 
-	if (p->num_cores > rte_lcore_count() + 1) {
+	if (p->num_cores > rte_lcore_count() - 1) {
 		printf("insufficent cores to run (%s)",
 			p->name);
 		return;