diff --git a/demos/sample_means/generate_plots.R b/demos/sample_means/generate_plots.R
index ec8de73..e4f108c 100644
--- a/demos/sample_means/generate_plots.R
+++ b/demos/sample_means/generate_plots.R
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ if ( !is.loaded("mpi_initialize") ){
 }
 
 number_of_plots = 5
-nodes = mpi.universe.size()
+nodes = mpi.universe.size()-1
 mpi.spawn.Rslaves(nslaves=nodes)
 
 generate_plot <- function(filename){