diff --git a/runner/manager.go b/runner/manager.go
index 497a8fd..ca1b508 100644
--- a/runner/manager.go
+++ b/runner/manager.go
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ func (m *NomadRunnerManager) refreshEnvironment(id EnvironmentId) {
 			log.WithError(err).Printf("Failed get allocation count")
 			break
 		}
-		additionallyNeededRunners := job.desiredIdleRunnersCount - uint(job.idleRunners.Length()) + 1
+		additionallyNeededRunners := job.desiredIdleRunnersCount - uint(job.idleRunners.Length())
 		requiredRunnerCount := jobScale
 		if additionallyNeededRunners > 0 {
 			requiredRunnerCount += additionallyNeededRunners
diff --git a/runner/manager_test.go b/runner/manager_test.go
index 34147b8..69031ce 100644
--- a/runner/manager_test.go
+++ b/runner/manager_test.go
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func (s *ManagerTestSuite) TestRefreshScalesJob() {
 	// use one runner to necessitate rescaling
 	_, _ = s.nomadRunnerManager.Claim(defaultEnvironmentId)
 	s.waitForRunnerRefresh()
-	s.apiMock.AssertCalled(s.T(), "SetJobScale", tests.DefaultJobId, defaultDesiredRunnersCount+1, "Runner Requested")
+	s.apiMock.AssertCalled(s.T(), "SetJobScale", tests.DefaultJobId, defaultDesiredRunnersCount, "Runner Requested")
 }
 
 func (s *ManagerTestSuite) TestRefreshAddsRunnerToPool() {