diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index 5d55830d9df..fbed32c84f8 100644
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -302,6 +302,10 @@ void Thread::search() {
 
   multiPV = std::min(multiPV, rootMoves.size());
 
+  int contempt = Options["Contempt"] * PawnValueEg / 100; // From centipawns
+  Eval::Contempt = (rootPos.side_to_move() == WHITE ?  make_score(contempt, contempt / 2)
+                                                    : -make_score(contempt, contempt / 2));
+
   // Iterative deepening loop until requested to stop or the target depth is reached
   while (   (rootDepth += ONE_PLY) < DEPTH_MAX
          && !Threads.stop
@@ -338,7 +342,7 @@ void Thread::search() {
               beta  = std::min(rootMoves[PVIdx].previousScore + delta, VALUE_INFINITE);
 
               // Adjust contempt based on current situation
-              int contempt = Options["Contempt"] * PawnValueEg / 100 + bestValue/10; // From centipawns
+              contempt = Options["Contempt"] * PawnValueEg / 100 + bestValue/10; // From centipawns
               Eval::Contempt = (rootPos.side_to_move() == WHITE ?  make_score(contempt, contempt / 2)
                                                                 : -make_score(contempt, contempt / 2));