diff --git a/utils/python/hsfs_utils.py b/utils/python/hsfs_utils.py
index d8e17aae15..b42cb14ae2 100644
--- a/utils/python/hsfs_utils.py
+++ b/utils/python/hsfs_utils.py
@@ -298,6 +298,7 @@ def offline_fg_materialization(
         .option("includeHeaders", "true")
         .option("failOnDataLoss", "false")
         .load()
+        .limit(5000000)
     )
 
     # update offsets
@@ -326,9 +327,6 @@ def offline_fg_materialization(
         == str(entity.subject["id"])
     )
 
-    # limit the number of records ingested
-    df = df.limit(5000000)
-
     # deserialize dataframe so that it can be properly saved
     deserialized_df = engine.get_instance()._deserialize_from_avro(entity, df)