diff --git a/changes/bug20059 b/changes/bug20059
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..091fab06d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/bug20059
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+  o Minor bugfixes (relay):
+    - Avoid a double-marked-circuit warning that can happen when we receive
+      DESTROY cells under heavy load. Fixes bug 20059; bugfix on 0.1.0.1-rc.
diff --git a/src/or/onion.c b/src/or/onion.c
index 42b9ca4b1..b3898d408 100644
--- a/src/or/onion.c
+++ b/src/or/onion.c
@@ -238,7 +238,9 @@ onion_pending_add(or_circuit_t *circ, create_cell_t *onionskin)
     onion_queue_entry_remove(head);
     log_info(LD_CIRC,
              "Circuit create request is too old; canceling due to overload.");
-    circuit_mark_for_close(TO_CIRCUIT(circ), END_CIRC_REASON_RESOURCELIMIT);
+    if (! TO_CIRCUIT(circ)->marked_for_close) {
+      circuit_mark_for_close(TO_CIRCUIT(circ), END_CIRC_REASON_RESOURCELIMIT);
+    }
   }
   return 0;
 }