diff --git a/src/google/protobuf/arena.h b/src/google/protobuf/arena.h
index e9e7a15d4e..0ec9cf3129 100644
--- a/src/google/protobuf/arena.h
+++ b/src/google/protobuf/arena.h
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ class PROTOBUF_EXPORT PROTOBUF_ALIGNAS(8) Arena final {
     static_assert(
         InternalHelper<T>::is_arena_constructable::value,
         "CreateMessage can only construct types that are ArenaConstructable");
-    if (arena == nullptr) {
+    if (PROTOBUF_PREDICT_FALSE(arena == nullptr)) {
       // Generated arena constructor T(Arena*) is protected. Call via
       // InternalHelper.
       return InternalHelper<T>::New();