diff --git a/modules/chankeep.py b/modules/chankeep.py
index 6865f28..f91bfcb 100644
--- a/modules/chankeep.py
+++ b/modules/chankeep.py
@@ -60,6 +60,14 @@ def getChanFree(net, new):
         return False
     return (chanfree, chanlimits.pop())
 
+def getTotalChans(net):
+    total = 0
+    for i in getActiveRelays(net):
+        name = net + str(i)
+        if name in main.IRCPool.keys():
+            total += len(main.IRCPool[name].channels)
+    return total
+
 
 def emptyChanAllocate(net, flist, new):
     chanfree = getChanFree(net, new)
@@ -161,7 +169,11 @@ def keepChannels(net, listinfo, mean, sigrelay, relay, chanlimit):
             error("Network %s is too big to cover: %i relays required" % (net, sigrelay))
             return
     num_instances = len(getActiveRelays(net))
-    max_chans = chanlimit * num_instances
+    debug(f"keepChannels() {net} instances:{num_instances} chanlimit:{chanlimit}")
+    chan_slots_used = getTotalChans(net)
+    debug(f"keepChannels() slots_used:{chan_slots_used}")
+    max_chans = (chanlimit * num_instances) - chan_slots_used
+    debug(f"keepChannels() max_chans:{max_chans}")
     if coverAll:
         needed = relay - len(getActiveRelays(net))
         debug(f"keepChannels() coverAll asking to provision {needed} relays for {net} relay:{relay}")