diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index 6d05d2c8a..b497552ae 100644
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -583,8 +583,10 @@ bool Search::Worker::iterative_deepening() {
 
             auto elapsedTime = elapsed();
 
-            // Stop the search if we have exceeded the totalTime or maximum
-            if (elapsedTime > std::min(totalTime, double(mainThread->tm.maximum())))
+            // Stop the search if we have exceeded totalTime or maximum time,
+            // or if we know that there are no better moves in the analysed line(s)
+            if (elapsedTime > std::min(totalTime, double(mainThread->tm.maximum()))
+                || rootMoves[multiPV - 1].score >= mate_in(3) || rootMoves[0].score == mated_in(2))
             {
                 // If we are allowed to ponder do not stop the search now but
                 // keep pondering until the GUI sends "ponderhit" or "stop".