diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index fa423d6e..d03a04dd 100644
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -950,6 +950,7 @@ moves_loop: // When in check, search starts from here
 
       // Step 14. Pruning at shallow depth (~170 Elo)
       if (  !rootNode
+          && thisThread->rootDepth > 4 * ONE_PLY
           && pos.non_pawn_material(us)
           && bestValue > VALUE_MATED_IN_MAX_PLY)
       {