diff --git a/.chloggen/fileconsumer-fix-max-concurrent-files-check.yaml b/.chloggen/fileconsumer-fix-max-concurrent-files-check.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..85c1da963434
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.chloggen/fileconsumer-fix-max-concurrent-files-check.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+# Use this changelog template to create an entry for release notes.
+
+# One of 'breaking', 'deprecation', 'new_component', 'enhancement', 'bug_fix'
+change_type: bug_fix
+
+# The name of the component, or a single word describing the area of concern, (e.g. filelogreceiver)
+component: fileconsumer
+
+# A brief description of the change.  Surround your text with quotes ("") if it needs to start with a backtick (`).
+note: Fix bug where max_concurrent_files could not be set to 1.
+
+# Mandatory: One or more tracking issues related to the change. You can use the PR number here if no issue exists.
+issues: [35080]
+
+# (Optional) One or more lines of additional information to render under the primary note.
+# These lines will be padded with 2 spaces and then inserted directly into the document.
+# Use pipe (|) for multiline entries.
+subtext:
+
+# If your change doesn't affect end users or the exported elements of any package,
+# you should instead start your pull request title with [chore] or use the "Skip Changelog" label.
+# Optional: The change log or logs in which this entry should be included.
+# e.g. '[user]' or '[user, api]'
+# Include 'user' if the change is relevant to end users.
+# Include 'api' if there is a change to a library API.
+# Default: '[user]'
+change_logs: []
diff --git a/pkg/stanza/fileconsumer/config.go b/pkg/stanza/fileconsumer/config.go
index 967e4d683daf..2eec1b6b2e79 100644
--- a/pkg/stanza/fileconsumer/config.go
+++ b/pkg/stanza/fileconsumer/config.go
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ func (c Config) validate() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("'max_log_size' must be positive")
 	}
 
-	if c.MaxConcurrentFiles <= 1 {
+	if c.MaxConcurrentFiles < 1 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("'max_concurrent_files' must be positive")
 	}