diff --git a/src/math/lp/nla_core.cpp b/src/math/lp/nla_core.cpp
index 1c8d2e832..a306c024a 100644
--- a/src/math/lp/nla_core.cpp
+++ b/src/math/lp/nla_core.cpp
@@ -1328,7 +1328,10 @@ lbool core::check(unsigned level) {
         if (lp_settings().get_cancel_flag())
             return l_undef;
 
-        if (params().arith_nl_nra_before_lemma_return() && should_run_bounded_nlsat()) {
+        if (params().arith_nl_nra_before_lemma_return()
+            && lp_settings().stats().m_nla_calls > 0
+            && lp_settings().stats().m_nla_calls % params().arith_nl_delay() == 0
+            && should_run_bounded_nlsat()) {
             ret = bounded_nlsat();
             if (ret == l_true)
                 return l_true;