diff --git a/progs/reclaim.pas b/progs/reclaim.pas
index 6c3584d..9983501 100644
--- a/progs/reclaim.pas
+++ b/progs/reclaim.pas
@@ -62,8 +62,13 @@ begin
 	begin
 		if lastUsed < endSlot then
 		begin
+			(* if the volume is empty mark the first slot *)
+			if lastUsed = 0 then
+				slotNo := reservedCount
+			else
+				slotNo := lastUsed + 1;
+
 			writeln('Updating directory...');
-			slotNo := lastUsed + 1;
 			getdirslot(volid, slotNo, dirslot, error);
 			if error <> IONoError then
 			begin
@@ -119,7 +124,7 @@ begin
 		lastUsed := 0;
 
 		openvolumeid(volid);
-		i := volumeTable[volid].startSlot;
+		i := 0;
 		endSlot := volumeTable[volid].part.dirSize - 1;
 
 		if verbose then