diff --git a/lib/model/model.go b/lib/model/model.go
index 43ff023c6..c78ed4e48 100644
--- a/lib/model/model.go
+++ b/lib/model/model.go
@@ -2548,6 +2548,12 @@ func (m *model) numHashers(folder string) int {
 	m.mut.RLock()
 	folderCfg := m.folderCfgs[folder]
 	numFolders := max(1, len(m.folderCfgs))
+	// MaxFolderConcurrency already limits the number of scanned folders, so
+	// prefer it over the overall number of folders to avoid limiting performance
+	// further for no reason.
+	if concurrency := m.cfg.Options().MaxFolderConcurrency(); concurrency > 0 {
+		numFolders = min(numFolders, concurrency)
+	}
 	m.mut.RUnlock()
 
 	if folderCfg.Hashers > 0 {