diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index 7875f034..a4b2ef34 100644
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -734,7 +734,7 @@ namespace {
     // Step 9. Null move search with verification search (~40 Elo)
     if (   !PvNode
         && (ss-1)->currentMove != MOVE_NULL
-        && (ss-1)->statScore < 30000
+        && (ss-1)->statScore < 22500
         &&  eval >= beta
         &&  ss->staticEval >= beta - 36 * depth / ONE_PLY + 225
         && !ss->excludedMove