diff --git a/src/nvim/regexp_nfa.c b/src/nvim/regexp_nfa.c
index 425da6c055..fbdf4b9630 100644
--- a/src/nvim/regexp_nfa.c
+++ b/src/nvim/regexp_nfa.c
@@ -3961,7 +3961,7 @@ addstate (
 
   // This function is called recursively.  When the depth is too much we run
   // out of stack and crash, limit recursiveness here.
-  if (++depth >= 10000 || subs == NULL) {
+  if (++depth >= 5000 || subs == NULL) {
     depth--;
     return NULL;
   }