diff --git a/sys/ufs/ffs/ffs_softdep.c b/sys/ufs/ffs/ffs_softdep.c
index 42445884a84..ae532b6d2e1 100644
--- a/sys/ufs/ffs/ffs_softdep.c
+++ b/sys/ufs/ffs/ffs_softdep.c
@@ -2621,7 +2621,8 @@ softdep_freefile(pvp, ino, mode)
 	}
 	WORKLIST_INSERT(&inodedep->id_inowait, &freefile->fx_list);
 	FREE_LOCK(&lk);
-	ip->i_flag |= IN_MODIFIED;
+	if (ip->i_number == ino)
+		ip->i_flag |= IN_MODIFIED;
 }
 
 /*