(ps->current_committed != ps->exceptions_per_area))
                return;
 
+       /*
+        * If we completely filled the current area, then wipe the next one.
+        */
+       if ((ps->current_committed == ps->exceptions_per_area) &&
+            zero_disk_area(ps, ps->current_area + 1))
+               ps->valid = 0;
+
        /*
         * Commit exceptions to disk.
         */
-       if (area_io(ps, WRITE))
+       if (ps->valid && area_io(ps, WRITE))
                ps->valid = 0;
 
        /*
         * Advance to the next area if this one is full.
         */
        if (ps->current_committed == ps->exceptions_per_area) {
-               if (zero_disk_area(ps, ps->current_area + 1))
-                       ps->valid = 0;
                ps->current_committed = 0;
                ps->current_area++;
                zero_memory_area(ps);