diff --git a/src/ticks.jl b/src/ticks.jl
index 421fe13..3a22692 100644
--- a/src/ticks.jl
+++ b/src/ticks.jl
@@ -124,6 +124,9 @@ function optimize_ticks_typed{T}(x_min::T, x_max::T, extend_ticks,
                     # strict limits on coverage
                     if strict_span && span > xspan
                         score -= 10000
+                        if span >= 4.0*xspan
+                            score -= 1000
+                        end
                     elseif !strict_span && (span >= 2.0*xspan || span < xspan)
                         score -= 1000
                     end