diff --git a/table/merge_iterator.go b/table/merge_iterator.go
index b42d79e03..14bafced8 100644
--- a/table/merge_iterator.go
+++ b/table/merge_iterator.go
@@ -139,10 +139,17 @@ func (mi *MergeIterator) swapSmall() {
 
 // Next returns the next element. If it is the same as the current key, ignore it.
 func (mi *MergeIterator) Next() {
-	for mi.Valid() {
-		if !bytes.Equal(mi.small.key, mi.curKey) {
-			break
-		}
+	if !mi.Valid() {
+		return
+	}
+	// Invariant on entry: mi.small.key == mi.curKey byte-for-byte, since every
+	// public method (Rewind/Seek/Next) that leaves the iterator Valid ends by
+	// calling setCurrent(). Skip the always-true first comparison and advance
+	// unconditionally; then keep advancing while the new small.key duplicates
+	// the saved curKey (only possible from the OTHER child iterator).
+	mi.small.next()
+	mi.fix()
+	for mi.Valid() && bytes.Equal(mi.small.key, mi.curKey) {
 		mi.small.next()
 		mi.fix()
 	}
diff --git a/table/merge_iterator_test.go b/table/merge_iterator_test.go
index c19a3dc6f..370f25345 100644
--- a/table/merge_iterator_test.go
+++ b/table/merge_iterator_test.go
@@ -273,6 +273,22 @@ func TestMergeIteratorSeekInvalidReversed(t *testing.T) {
 	closeAndCheck(t, mergeIt, 4)
 }
 
+// TestMergeIteratorNextOnInvalid exercises the early-return guard in Next()
+// for the case where Next is called on an iterator that has already become
+// invalid (Seek past the end). The call must be a safe no-op.
+func TestMergeIteratorNextOnInvalid(t *testing.T) {
+	it1 := newSimpleIterator([]string{"1", "3"}, []string{"a1", "a3"}, false)
+	it2 := newSimpleIterator([]string{"2", "4"}, []string{"b2", "b4"}, false)
+	mergeIt := NewMergeIterator([]y.Iterator{it1, it2}, false)
+	// Seek past the end so the iterator is invalid.
+	mergeIt.Seek([]byte("z"))
+	require.False(t, mergeIt.Valid())
+	// Next on an invalid iterator must not panic and must remain invalid.
+	mergeIt.Next()
+	require.False(t, mergeIt.Valid())
+	closeAndCheck(t, mergeIt, 2)
+}
+
 func TestMergeIteratorDuplicate(t *testing.T) {
 	it1 := newSimpleIterator([]string{"0", "1", "2"}, []string{"a0", "a1", "a2"}, false)
 	it2 := newSimpleIterator([]string{"1", "3"}, []string{"b1", "b3"}, false)