diff --git a/sys/vm/vm_map.c b/sys/vm/vm_map.c
index 50289e5a34cd..29105726a8de 100644
--- a/sys/vm/vm_map.c
+++ b/sys/vm/vm_map.c
@@ -2736,6 +2736,18 @@ vm_map_madvise(
 			if (current->eflags & MAP_ENTRY_IS_SUB_MAP)
 				continue;
 
+			/*
+			 * MADV_FREE would otherwise rewind time to
+			 * the creation of the shadow object.  Because
+			 * we hold the VM map read-locked, neither the
+			 * entry's object nor the presence of a
+			 * backing object can change.
+			 */
+			if (behav == MADV_FREE &&
+			    current->object.vm_object != NULL &&
+			    current->object.vm_object->backing_object != NULL)
+				continue;
+
 			pstart = OFF_TO_IDX(current->offset);
 			pend = pstart + atop(current->end - current->start);
 			useStart = current->start;