diff --git a/vp9/encoder/vp9_aq_cyclicrefresh.c b/vp9/encoder/vp9_aq_cyclicrefresh.c
index ed43de701..ef8484f98 100644
--- a/vp9/encoder/vp9_aq_cyclicrefresh.c
+++ b/vp9/encoder/vp9_aq_cyclicrefresh.c
@@ -428,6 +428,8 @@ void vp9_cyclic_refresh_update_parameters(VP9_COMP *const cpi) {
   int thresh_low_motion = (cm->width < 720) ? 55 : 20;
   cr->apply_cyclic_refresh = 1;
   if (cm->frame_type == KEY_FRAME || cpi->svc.temporal_layer_id > 0 ||
+      (cpi->use_svc &&
+       cpi->svc.layer_context[cpi->svc.temporal_layer_id].is_key_frame) ||
       (!cpi->use_svc && rc->avg_frame_low_motion < thresh_low_motion &&
        rc->frames_since_key > 40)) {
     cr->apply_cyclic_refresh = 0;