Looks like merge join planning time is too big, 55 seconds

PostgreSQL 9.2.2 on x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu, compiled by gcc-4.4.real (Debian 4.4.5-8) 4.4.5, 64-bit

# explain

# select i.item_id, u.user_id from items i

# left join users u on u.user_id = i.user_id

# where item_id = 169946840;

                                          QUERY PLAN                                          

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Nested Loop Left Join  (cost=0.00..397.14 rows=1 width=16)

   ->  Index Scan using items_item_ux on items i  (cost=0.00..358.84 rows=1 width=16)

         Index Cond: (item_id = 169946840)

   ->  Index Only Scan using users_user_id_pkey on users u  (cost=0.00..38.30 rows=1 width=8)

         Index Cond: (user_id = i.user_id)

time: 55919.910 ms

# set enable_mergejoin to off;

# explain

select i.item_id, u.user_id from items i

left join users u on u.user_id = i.user_id

where item_id = 169946840;

                                          QUERY PLAN                                          

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Nested Loop Left Join  (cost=0.00..397.14 rows=1 width=16)

   ->  Index Scan using items_item_ux on items i  (cost=0.00..358.84 rows=1 width=16)

         Index Cond: (item_id = 169946840)

   ->  Index Only Scan using users_user_id_pkey on users u  (cost=0.00..38.30 rows=1 width=8)

         Index Cond: (user_id = i.user_id)

time: 28.874 ms