diff --git a/common.sh b/common.sh
index 7f1c219..d7529b6 100644
--- a/common.sh
+++ b/common.sh
@@ -158,8 +158,13 @@ wait_for_rsync() {
 
     for i in $(seq 1 "$RETRY_COUNT"); do
 
-        # stable + cross-system safe
-        COUNT=$(pgrep -af rsync | wc -l)
+        # ONLY COUNT LOCAL INITIATED RSYNC COMMANDS
+        COUNT=$(ps -eo pid,cmd | grep "[r]sync .*${REMOTE_SERVER:-}" | wc -l || true)
+
+        # fallback if REMOTE_SERVER not set yet
+        if [[ -z "$REMOTE_SERVER" ]]; then
+            COUNT=$(pgrep -x rsync | wc -l || true)
+        fi
 
         if [[ "$COUNT" -ge "$MAX_RSYNC_PROCS" ]]; then
             warn "Waiting rsync slot ($COUNT/$MAX_RSYNC_PROCS)"