diff --git a/tests/libtest/lib582.c b/tests/libtest/lib582.c
index a50f8a429f..8fe6402a49 100644
--- a/tests/libtest/lib582.c
+++ b/tests/libtest/lib582.c
@@ -83,16 +83,10 @@ static void addFd(struct Sockets *sockets, curl_socket_t fd, const char *what)
       return;
     sockets->max_count = 20;
   }
-  else if(sockets->count + 1 > sockets->max_count) {
-    curl_socket_t *oldptr = sockets->sockets;
-    sockets->sockets = realloc(oldptr, sizeof(curl_socket_t) *
-                               (sockets->max_count + 20));
-    if(!sockets->sockets) {
-      /* cleanup in test_cleanup */
-      sockets->sockets = oldptr;
-      return;
-    }
-    sockets->max_count += 20;
+  else if(sockets->count >= sockets->max_count) {
+    /* this can't happen in normal cases */
+    fprintf(stderr, "too many file handles error\n");
+    exit(2);
   }
   /*
    * Add file descriptor to array.