diff --git a/sound/core/control.c b/sound/core/control.c
index 7f2b3a7eabb2..dc2a44048c85 100644
--- a/sound/core/control.c
+++ b/sound/core/control.c
@@ -1073,7 +1073,7 @@ static int snd_ctl_elem_add(struct snd_ctl_file *file,
 	struct user_element *ue;
 	int idx, err;
 
-	if (card->user_ctl_count >= MAX_USER_CONTROLS)
+	if (!replace && card->user_ctl_count >= MAX_USER_CONTROLS)
 		return -ENOMEM;
 	if (info->count < 1)
 		return -EINVAL;