diff --git a/vp9/encoder/vp9_rdopt.c b/vp9/encoder/vp9_rdopt.c
index aea39f2e4e7fafedcee5f2e6884710a572eb7444..4e6e1c831332a82caea8d7be3aff1c9fb73ba39c 100644
--- a/vp9/encoder/vp9_rdopt.c
+++ b/vp9/encoder/vp9_rdopt.c
@@ -1368,13 +1368,10 @@ static int64_t rd_pick_intra4x4mby_modes(VP9_COMP *cpi, MACROBLOCK *mb,
         mic->bmi[i + j].as_mode = best_mode;
 
       if (total_rd >= best_rd)
-        break;
+        return INT64_MAX;
     }
   }
 
-  if (total_rd >= best_rd)
-    return INT64_MAX;
-
   *Rate = cost;
   *rate_y = tot_rate_y;
   *Distortion = distortion;