diff --git a/src/defrag-config.c b/src/defrag-config.c
index 8fc5bdf7a5..5bc4be36b6 100644
--- a/src/defrag-config.c
+++ b/src/defrag-config.c
@@ -96,7 +96,8 @@ int DefragPolicyGetHostTimeout(Packet *p)
         timeout = DefragPolicyGetIPv4HostTimeout((uint8_t *)GET_IPV4_DST_ADDR_PTR(p));
     else if (PKT_IS_IPV6(p))
         timeout = DefragPolicyGetIPv6HostTimeout((uint8_t *)GET_IPV6_DST_ADDR(p));
-    else
+
+    if (timeout <= 0)
         timeout = default_timeout;
 
     return timeout;