diff --git a/cmd/config/api/api.go b/cmd/config/api/api.go
index 5e2db2834..dd37d2aff 100644
--- a/cmd/config/api/api.go
+++ b/cmd/config/api/api.go
@@ -113,8 +113,6 @@ func (sCfg *Config) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
 // acceptable quorum expected for list operations
 func (sCfg Config) GetListQuorum() int {
 	switch sCfg.ListQuorum {
-	case "optimal":
-		return 3
 	case "reduced":
 		return 2
 	case "disk":
@@ -123,7 +121,7 @@ func (sCfg Config) GetListQuorum() int {
 	case "strict":
 		return -1
 	}
-	// Defaults to 3 drives per set.
+	// Defaults to 3 drives per set, defaults to "optimal" value
 	return 3
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/metacache-set.go b/cmd/metacache-set.go
index 8a7ab0c85..5c7c2f1d0 100644
--- a/cmd/metacache-set.go
+++ b/cmd/metacache-set.go
@@ -595,16 +595,11 @@ func (er *erasureObjects) listPath(ctx context.Context, o listPathOptions) (entr
 	}()
 
 	askDisks := o.AskDisks
-	if askDisks == -1 {
-		askDisks = getReadQuorum(er.SetDriveCount())
-	}
-
 	listingQuorum := askDisks - 1
-
 	// Special case: ask all disks if the drive count is 4
-	if er.SetDriveCount() == 4 {
-		askDisks = len(disks)
-		listingQuorum = 2
+	if askDisks == -1 || er.SetDriveCount() == 4 {
+		askDisks = len(disks) // with 'strict' quorum list on all online disks.
+		listingQuorum = getReadQuorum(er.SetDriveCount())
 	}
 
 	if len(disks) < askDisks {