I was able to clear this diagnostic by going into screen 53.204 and putting in the type of taxpayer (2=MFJ in my situation) and then typing in the carryover amount into the "Total amount expended" box.  I ignored everything else in this screen since I did not have any current year qualified expenses to recognize.  This did not double my carryover amount despite the same exact amount also being reflected in screen 53.202 as a Credit carryover.  Therefore, the carryover amount to the subsequent tax year is correct.