diff --git a/sched/semaphore/sem_holder.c b/sched/semaphore/sem_holder.c
index cd8b26c6625..e0d594b132c 100644
--- a/sched/semaphore/sem_holder.c
+++ b/sched/semaphore/sem_holder.c
@@ -379,8 +379,16 @@ static int sem_boostholderprio(FAR struct semholder_s *pholder,
            * saved priority and not to the base priority.
            */
 
-          htcb->pend_reprios[htcb->npend_reprio] = rtcb->sched_priority;
-          htcb->npend_reprio++;
+          if (htcb->npend_reprio < CONFIG_SEM_NNESTPRIO)
+            {
+              htcb->pend_reprios[htcb->npend_reprio] = rtcb->sched_priority;
+              htcb->npend_reprio++;
+            }
+          else
+            {
+              serr("ERROR: CONFIG_SEM_NNESTPRIO exceeded\n");
+              DEBUGASSERT(htcb->npend_reprio < CONFIG_SEM_NNESTPRIO);
+            }
         }
     }