Horseshoe vortices are formed at the junction of an object immersed in fluid-flow and endwall plate as a result of three-dimensional boundary layer separation. This study presents the variation of the strengths of such horseshoe vortices around a circular cylinder with a cavity (slot) placed upstream. Through the cavity, no mass flow addition (blowing) or reduction (suction) is applied. With the upstream cavity, adverse pressure gradient is weakened upstream of the cavity whereas it is strengthened downstream of the cavity. Furthermore, a single vortex system is found to form immediately upstream of the cylinder instead of a typical two vortex (primary and secondary vortices) system observed in the absence of the upstream cavity. The strength of the primary vortex is weakened due to the fluid stream engulfed in to the upstream cavity, resulting in diffusion of the mainstream. Consequently, the circulation of the primary vortex is weakened.