diff --git a/tests/malloc_test.cpp b/tests/malloc_test.cpp
index a3fe5af..1431cc1 100644
--- a/tests/malloc_test.cpp
+++ b/tests/malloc_test.cpp
@@ -588,10 +588,13 @@
       size_t new_allocated = mallinfo().uordblks;
       if (allocated != new_allocated) {
         size_t usable_size = malloc_usable_size(ptrs[i]);
-        ASSERT_GE(new_allocated, allocated + usable_size)
-            << "Failed at size " << size << " usable size " << usable_size;
-        pass = true;
-        break;
+        // Only check if the total got bigger by at least allocation size.
+        // Sometimes the mallinfo numbers can go backwards due to compaction
+        // and/or freeing of cached data.
+        if (new_allocated >= allocated + usable_size) {
+          pass = true;
+          break;
+        }
       }
     }
     for (void* ptr : ptrs) {