diff --git a/s2/encode_better.go b/s2/encode_better.go
index 6e15917340..f4c5e04d2f 100644
--- a/s2/encode_better.go
+++ b/s2/encode_better.go
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ func encodeBlockBetter(dst, src []byte) (d int) {
 	// lets us use a fast path for emitLiteral in the main loop, while we are
 	// looking for copies.
 	sLimit := len(src) - inputMargin
+	if len(src) < minNonLiteralBlockSize {
+		return 0
+	}
 
 	// Bail if we can't compress to at least this.
 	dstLimit := len(src) - len(src)>>5 - 5