diff --git a/runtime/src/bank.rs b/runtime/src/bank.rs
index 478ef4d78a..f87142ed38 100644
--- a/runtime/src/bank.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/bank.rs
@@ -3076,7 +3076,7 @@ impl Bank {
     }
 
     pub fn get_minimum_balance_for_rent_exemption(&self, data_len: usize) -> u64 {
-        self.rent_collector.rent.minimum_balance(data_len)
+        self.rent_collector.rent.minimum_balance(data_len).max(1)
     }
 
     #[deprecated(