diff --git a/src/MarkerClusterGroup.js b/src/MarkerClusterGroup.js
index 8a58a6ed8..4f33f0cc3 100644
--- a/src/MarkerClusterGroup.js
+++ b/src/MarkerClusterGroup.js
@@ -756,7 +756,7 @@ L.MarkerClusterGroup = L.FeatureGroup.extend({
 
 	//Merge and split any existing clusters that are too big or small
 	_mergeSplitClusters: function () {
-		if (this._zoom < this._map._zoom) { //Zoom in, split
+		if (this._zoom < this._map._zoom && this._currentShownBounds.contains(this._getExpandedVisibleBounds())) { //Zoom in, split
 			this._animationStart();
 			//Remove clusters now off screen
 			this._topClusterLevel._recursivelyRemoveChildrenFromMap(this._currentShownBounds, this._zoom, this._getExpandedVisibleBounds());