diff --git a/format/flac/flac_frame.go b/format/flac/flac_frame.go
index fc380bd9..afe10dc9 100644
--- a/format/flac/flac_frame.go
+++ b/format/flac/flac_frame.go
@@ -452,6 +452,9 @@ func frameDecode(d *decode.D, in any) any {
 								if samplesLen < n+count {
 									d.Fatalf("decodeResiduals outside block size")
 								}
+								if count < 0 {
+									d.Fatalf("negative sample count %d", count)
+								}
 
 								if riceParameter == riceEscape {
 									escapeSampleSize := int(d.FieldU5("escape_sample_size"))