diff --git a/src/runtime/malloc.go b/src/runtime/malloc.go
index 91d69b5a9b..22ad6b581f 100644
--- a/src/runtime/malloc.go
+++ b/src/runtime/malloc.go
@@ -684,7 +684,7 @@ func mallocgc(size uintptr, typ *_type, flags uint32) unsafe.Pointer {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if shouldtriggergc() {
+	if shouldhelpgc && shouldtriggergc() {
 		startGC(gcBackgroundMode)
 	} else if gcBlackenEnabled != 0 {
 		// Assist garbage collector. We delay this until the