diff --git a/router/java/src/net/i2p/router/tunnel/pool/ParticipatingThrottler.java b/router/java/src/net/i2p/router/tunnel/pool/ParticipatingThrottler.java
index 765492de7..1ee7389bd 100644
--- a/router/java/src/net/i2p/router/tunnel/pool/ParticipatingThrottler.java
+++ b/router/java/src/net/i2p/router/tunnel/pool/ParticipatingThrottler.java
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class ParticipatingThrottler {
     private static final int LIFETIME_PORTION = 3;
     private static final int MIN_LIMIT = 12 / LIFETIME_PORTION;
     private static final int MAX_LIMIT = 66 / LIFETIME_PORTION;
-    private static final int PERCENT_LIMIT = 9 / LIFETIME_PORTION;
+    private static final int PERCENT_LIMIT = 3 / LIFETIME_PORTION;
     private static final long CLEAN_TIME = 11*60*1000 / LIFETIME_PORTION;
 
     public enum Result { ACCEPT, REJECT, DROP }