diff --git a/src/evaluate.cpp b/src/evaluate.cpp
index 84a37dfc..d3ddfd51 100644
--- a/src/evaluate.cpp
+++ b/src/evaluate.cpp
@@ -703,9 +703,10 @@ namespace {
 
     // ...count safe + (behind & safe) with a single popcount
     int bonus = popcount((Us == WHITE ? safe << 32 : safe >> 32) | (behind & safe));
+    bonus = std::min(16, bonus);
     int weight = pos.count<ALL_PIECES>(Us);
 
-    return make_score(bonus * weight * weight  / 22, 0);
+    return make_score(bonus * weight * weight / 22, 0);
   }