The embodiments relate to a computer system, computer program product and method for managing a garbage collection process. Processing control is obtained based on execution of a load instruction and a determination that an object pointer to be loaded indicates a location within a selected portion of memory undergoing a garbage collection process. The determination includes identifying a base address and size of a first memory block subject to the garbage collection, and assigning a binary value to each first memory block section. An image of the load instruction is obtained and a pointer address is calculated from the image. It is determined whether the object pointer is to be modified. The object pointer is modified and stored in a selected location.