diff --git a/av1/encoder/ratectrl.c b/av1/encoder/ratectrl.c
index 47d74ec..8bdbe17 100644
--- a/av1/encoder/ratectrl.c
+++ b/av1/encoder/ratectrl.c
@@ -1239,15 +1239,6 @@
       q = *top_index;
   }
 
-  // Special case: we force the first few frames to use low q such that
-  // these frames are encoded at a high quality, which provides good
-  // references for following frames.
-  if (current_frame->frame_type != KEY_FRAME && !cpi->ppi->use_svc &&
-      current_frame->frame_number >= 10 && current_frame->frame_number <= 15) {
-    q = AOMMIN(p_rc->last_kf_qindex + 108, AOMMAX(5, q - 9));
-    q = AOMMIN(rc->worst_quality, AOMMAX(q, rc->best_quality));
-  }
-
   assert(*top_index <= rc->worst_quality && *top_index >= rc->best_quality);
   assert(*bottom_index <= rc->worst_quality &&
          *bottom_index >= rc->best_quality);