diff --git a/src/gdd/gdd.cc b/src/gdd/gdd.cc
index 1a84808c6..438986ad1 100644
--- a/src/gdd/gdd.cc
+++ b/src/gdd/gdd.cc
@@ -1355,11 +1355,14 @@ gddStatus gdd::put ( const gdd * dd )
         }
 
         aitUint32 srcAvailSize = srcElemCount - unusedSrcBelow;
-        if ( srcAvailSize > this->getBounds()->size() ) {
-            srcCopySize = this->getBounds()->size();
-        }
-        else {
-            srcCopySize = srcAvailSize;
+        {
+            aitUint32 destSize = this->getBounds()->size();
+            if ( destSize > 0 && srcAvailSize > destSize ) {
+                srcCopySize = destSize;
+            }
+            else {
+                srcCopySize = srcAvailSize;
+            }
         }
 
         if ( dataVoid() == NULL )