--- server/mpm/prefork/prefork.c	
+++ server/mpm/prefork/prefork.c	
@@ -1043,8 +1043,9 @@ 
                     /* we're still doing a 1-for-1 replacement of dead
                      * children with new children
                      */
-                    make_child(ap_server_conf, child_slot);
-                    --remaining_children_to_start;
+                    if (make_child(ap_server_conf, child_slot) > 0) {
+                        --remaining_children_to_start;
+                    }
                 }
 #if APR_HAS_OTHER_CHILD
             }