diff --git a/fs/xfs/libxfs/xfs_alloc.c b/fs/xfs/libxfs/xfs_alloc.c
index f1cdf5fbaa71..084d39d8856b 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/libxfs/xfs_alloc.c
+++ b/fs/xfs/libxfs/xfs_alloc.c
@@ -1998,24 +1998,32 @@ xfs_alloc_longest_free_extent(
 	return pag->pagf_flcount > 0 || pag->pagf_longest > 0;
 }
 
+/*
+ * Compute the minimum length of the AGFL in the given AG.  If @pag is NULL,
+ * return the largest possible minimum length.
+ */
 unsigned int
 xfs_alloc_min_freelist(
 	struct xfs_mount	*mp,
 	struct xfs_perag	*pag)
 {
+	/* AG btrees have at least 1 level. */
+	static const uint8_t	fake_levels[XFS_BTNUM_AGF] = {1, 1, 1};
+	const uint8_t		*levels = pag ? pag->pagf_levels : fake_levels;
 	unsigned int		min_free;
 
+	ASSERT(mp->m_ag_maxlevels > 0);
+
 	/* space needed by-bno freespace btree */
-	min_free = min_t(unsigned int, pag->pagf_levels[XFS_BTNUM_BNOi] + 1,
+	min_free = min_t(unsigned int, levels[XFS_BTNUM_BNOi] + 1,
 				       mp->m_ag_maxlevels);
 	/* space needed by-size freespace btree */
-	min_free += min_t(unsigned int, pag->pagf_levels[XFS_BTNUM_CNTi] + 1,
+	min_free += min_t(unsigned int, levels[XFS_BTNUM_CNTi] + 1,
 				       mp->m_ag_maxlevels);
 	/* space needed reverse mapping used space btree */
 	if (xfs_sb_version_hasrmapbt(&mp->m_sb))
-		min_free += min_t(unsigned int,
-				  pag->pagf_levels[XFS_BTNUM_RMAPi] + 1,
-				  mp->m_rmap_maxlevels);
+		min_free += min_t(unsigned int, levels[XFS_BTNUM_RMAPi] + 1,
+						mp->m_rmap_maxlevels);
 
 	return min_free;
 }