diff --git a/core/src/com/google/zxing/qrcode/QRCodeReader.java b/core/src/com/google/zxing/qrcode/QRCodeReader.java
index 819ba85be..a25e663e2 100644
--- a/core/src/com/google/zxing/qrcode/QRCodeReader.java
+++ b/core/src/com/google/zxing/qrcode/QRCodeReader.java
@@ -149,10 +149,18 @@ public class QRCodeReader implements Reader {
     // But careful that this does not sample off the edge
     int nudgedTooFarRight = left + (int) ((matrixWidth - 1) * moduleSize) - (right - 1);
     if (nudgedTooFarRight > 0) {
+      if (nudgedTooFarRight > nudge) {
+        // Neither way fits; abort
+        throw NotFoundException.getNotFoundInstance();
+      }
       left -= nudgedTooFarRight;
     }
     int nudgedTooFarDown = top + (int) ((matrixHeight - 1) * moduleSize) - (bottom - 1);
     if (nudgedTooFarDown > 0) {
+      if (nudgedTooFarDown > nudge) {
+        // Neither way fits; abort
+        throw NotFoundException.getNotFoundInstance();
+      }
       top -= nudgedTooFarDown;
     }