diff --git a/src/worker/bgworker.c b/src/worker/bgworker.c
index 97a61a0..f5b2f82 100644
--- a/src/worker/bgworker.c
+++ b/src/worker/bgworker.c
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@
 #include "queue/shmem.h"
 
 #include <signal.h>
+#ifdef __GLIBC__
+#include <malloc.h>
+#endif
 
 #include "config/guc.h"
 #include "export/stats_exporter.h"
@@ -182,6 +185,12 @@ static void RunExportCycle(uint32 wait_event) {
 }
 
 void PschBgworkerMain(Datum main_arg pg_attribute_unused()) {
+#ifdef __GLIBC__
+  // Set before any gRPC/Arrow threads are created; cap glibc malloc arenas to reduce virtual memory usage.
+  if (mallopt(M_ARENA_MAX, 4) == 0) {
+    elog(DEBUG1, "pg_stat_ch: mallopt(M_ARENA_MAX, 4) failed");
+  }
+#endif
   SetupSignalHandlers();
   BackgroundWorkerUnblockSignals();
   BackgroundWorkerInitializeConnection("postgres", NULL, 0);