diff --git a/client/rest/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/client/RestClient.java b/client/rest/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/client/RestClient.java
index 3b1946ef9ed58..d053bda7d44fa 100644
--- a/client/rest/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/client/RestClient.java
+++ b/client/rest/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/client/RestClient.java
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ static Iterable<Node> selectNodes(NodeTuple<List<Node>> nodeTuple, Map<HttpHost,
         /*
          * Sort the nodes into living and dead lists.
          */
-        List<Node> livingNodes = new ArrayList<>(nodeTuple.nodes.size() - blacklist.size());
+        List<Node> livingNodes = new ArrayList<>(Math.max(0, nodeTuple.nodes.size() - blacklist.size()));
         List<DeadNode> deadNodes = new ArrayList<>(blacklist.size());
         for (Node node : nodeTuple.nodes) {
             DeadHostState deadness = blacklist.get(node.getHost());
diff --git a/client/rest/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/client/RestClientTests.java b/client/rest/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/client/RestClientTests.java
index 69cdfeae85dff..f3f0f0e58b98d 100644
--- a/client/rest/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/client/RestClientTests.java
+++ b/client/rest/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/client/RestClientTests.java
@@ -272,6 +272,15 @@ public String toString() {
             blacklist.put(n2.getHost(), new DeadHostState(new DeadHostState(timeSupplier)));
             blacklist.put(n3.getHost(), new DeadHostState(new DeadHostState(new DeadHostState(timeSupplier))));
 
+            /*
+             * case when fewer nodeTuple than blacklist, wont result in any IllegalCapacityException
+             */
+            {
+                NodeTuple<List<Node>> fewerNodeTuple = new NodeTuple<>(Arrays.asList(n1, n2), null);
+                assertSelectLivingHosts(Arrays.asList(n1), fewerNodeTuple, blacklist, NodeSelector.ANY);
+                assertSelectLivingHosts(Arrays.asList(n2), fewerNodeTuple, blacklist, not1);
+            }
+
             /*
              * selectHosts will revive a single host if regardless of
              * blacklist time. It'll revive the node that is closest