diff --git a/gc.c b/gc.c
index ff7a03db..6cac830f 100644
--- a/gc.c
+++ b/gc.c
@@ -1361,7 +1361,8 @@ fprintf(stderr, "slow alloc of %p\n", result);
 #endif
     if (result) {
       // Check if we need to start a major collection
-      if (heap_type != HEAP_HUGE && gc_num_unswept_heaps(h_passed) < 2) {
+      if (heap_type != HEAP_HUGE && gc_num_unswept_heaps(h_passed) < 
+                                    GC_COLLECT_UNDER_UNSWEPT_HEAP_COUNT) {
         gc_start_major_collection(thd);
       }
     } else {
diff --git a/include/cyclone/types.h b/include/cyclone/types.h
index 8dadb639..fb92f640 100644
--- a/include/cyclone/types.h
+++ b/include/cyclone/types.h
@@ -113,6 +113,9 @@ typedef unsigned char tag_type;
 /** Start GC cycle if % heap space free below this percentage */
 #define GC_COLLECTION_THRESHOLD 0.0125 //0.05
 
+/** Start GC cycle if fewer than this many heap pages are unswept */
+#define GC_COLLECT_UNDER_UNSWEPT_HEAP_COUNT 3
+
 /** After major GC, grow the heap so at least this percentage is free */
 #define GC_FREE_THRESHOLD 0.40
 // END GC tuning