diff --git a/src/foqa/dataset.py b/src/foqa/dataset.py
index df6a303..9a60cfc 100644
--- a/src/foqa/dataset.py
+++ b/src/foqa/dataset.py
@@ -31,11 +31,6 @@ def build_dataset(config: DictConfig) -> None:
     )
     assert isinstance(dataset, Dataset)
 
-    num_samples = min(config.num_samples, len(dataset))
-    if num_samples < config.num_samples:
-        logger.info(f"Reduced number of samples to the maximal {num_samples:,}.")
-    dataset = dataset.select(range(num_samples))
-
     records_path = Path(config.dirs.data) / config.dirs.raw / "records.jsonl"
     if records_path.exists():
         with records_path.open() as f:
@@ -45,6 +40,13 @@ def build_dataset(config: DictConfig) -> None:
 
     with tqdm(dataset, desc=f"Generating samples with {config.model}") as pbar:
         for sample in pbar:
+            if len(records) >= config.num_samples:
+                logger.info(
+                    f"Reached the target number of samples ({config.num_samples:,}). "
+                    "Stopping."
+                )
+                break
+
             sample_exists = any(record["id"] == sample["url"] for record in records)
             if sample_exists:
                 continue