diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index c1ed1f9540a..0eea4127f80 100644
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -1115,7 +1115,7 @@ namespace {
       // Step 16. Reduced depth search (LMR, ~200 Elo). If the move fails high it will be
       // re-searched at full depth.
       if (    depth >= 3
-          &&  moveCount > 1 + 2 * rootNode
+          &&  moveCount > 1 + rootNode + (rootNode && bestValue < alpha)
           && (!rootNode || thisThread->best_move_count(move) == 0)
           && (  !captureOrPromotion
               || moveCountPruning