Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A communication device, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE) may receive, on a downlink channel, a configuration defining a search space for a downlink control channel. The UE may receive, on the downlink channel, a message including an indication of occupied control resources within the search space. Based on the indication, the UE may monitor a modified version of the search space for a downlink control information (DCI) block. The UE may receive, on the downlink control channel, the DCI block based on the monitoring.