diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index 36823a08..be511791 100644
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -804,7 +804,7 @@ Value Search::Worker::search(
     // false otherwise. The improving flag is used in various pruning heuristics.
     improving = ss->staticEval > (ss - 2)->staticEval;
 
-    opponentWorsening = ss->staticEval + (ss - 1)->staticEval > 5;
+    opponentWorsening = ss->staticEval > -(ss - 1)->staticEval;
 
     if (priorReduction >= 3 && !opponentWorsening)
         depth++;