diff --git a/src/evaluate.cpp b/src/evaluate.cpp
index 8c70016e..d5a4bb97 100644
--- a/src/evaluate.cpp
+++ b/src/evaluate.cpp
@@ -500,7 +500,10 @@ namespace {
     assert(target & (pos.pieces(C) ^ pos.pieces(C, KING)));
 
     PieceType pt;
-    for (pt = QUEEN; !(target & pos.pieces(C, pt)); --pt) {}
+    for (pt = QUEEN; pt >= KNIGHT; --pt)
+        if (target & pos.pieces(C, pt))
+            break;
+
     return pt;
   }