diff --git a/mm/page-writeback.c b/mm/page-writeback.c
index 79c34419faddc909bb913fb588012f33c1ae3c3c..e7cb5ff6e53d4fe6c4c18a3faaad29bf0fc726b6 100644
--- a/mm/page-writeback.c
+++ b/mm/page-writeback.c
@@ -1136,14 +1136,11 @@ static void balance_dirty_pages(struct address_space *mapping,
 		__set_current_state(TASK_KILLABLE);
 		io_schedule_timeout(pause);
 
-		dirty_thresh = hard_dirty_limit(dirty_thresh);
 		/*
-		 * max-pause area. If dirty exceeded but still within this
-		 * area, no need to sleep for more than 200ms: (a) 8 pages per
-		 * 200ms is typically more than enough to curb heavy dirtiers;
-		 * (b) the pause time limit makes the dirtiers more responsive.
+		 * This is typically equal to (nr_dirty < dirty_thresh) and can
+		 * also keep "1000+ dd on a slow USB stick" under control.
 		 */
-		if (nr_dirty < dirty_thresh)
+		if (task_ratelimit)
 			break;
 
 		if (fatal_signal_pending(current))