diff --git a/engine/src/search.rs b/engine/src/search.rs
index 3dd4de7..4f043d6 100644
--- a/engine/src/search.rs
+++ b/engine/src/search.rs
@@ -425,6 +425,11 @@ impl<'a, Log: LogLevel> Search<'a, Log> {
             return score;
         }
 
+        // don't bother searching if the board is in a draw state
+        if board.is_draw() {
+            return Score::DRAW;
+        }
+
         // get all legal moves
         let mut move_list = MoveList::new();
         let mut order_list = ArrayVec::<MoveOrder, MAX_MOVE_LIST_SIZE>::new();