diff --git a/python/lsst/meas/algorithms/pcaPsfDeterminer.py b/python/lsst/meas/algorithms/pcaPsfDeterminer.py
index f90c33319..6c957b5aa 100644
--- a/python/lsst/meas/algorithms/pcaPsfDeterminer.py
+++ b/python/lsst/meas/algorithms/pcaPsfDeterminer.py
@@ -211,6 +211,8 @@ def determinePsf(self, exposure, psfCandidateList, metadata=None, flagKey=None):
         psfCellSet : `lsst.afw.math.SpatialCellSet`
            The PSF candidates.
         """
+        psfCandidateList = self.downsampleCandidates(psfCandidateList)
+
         import lsstDebug
         display = lsstDebug.Info(__name__).display
         displayExposure = lsstDebug.Info(__name__).displayExposure     # display the Exposure + spatialCells
diff --git a/tests/test_psfDetermination.py b/tests/test_psfDetermination.py
index b02c7aa4b..4c5cb3383 100755
--- a/tests/test_psfDetermination.py
+++ b/tests/test_psfDetermination.py
@@ -462,6 +462,17 @@ def testDownsamplePca(self):
         """Test PCA determiner with downsampling.
         """
         self.setupDeterminer()
+        metadata = dafBase.PropertyList()
+
+        # Decrease the maximum number of stars.
+        self.psfDeterminer.config.maxCandidates = 10
+
+        stars = self.starSelector.run(self.catalog, exposure=self.exposure)
+        psfCandidateList = self.makePsfCandidates.run(stars.sourceCat, self.exposure).psfCandidates
+        psf, cellSet = self.psfDeterminer.determinePsf(self.exposure, psfCandidateList, metadata)
+
+        self.assertEqual(metadata['numAvailStars'], self.psfDeterminer.config.maxCandidates)
+        self.assertLessEqual(metadata['numGoodStars'], self.psfDeterminer.config.maxCandidates)
 
 
 class PsfCandidateTestCase(lsst.utils.tests.TestCase):