diff --git a/libraries/chain/db_maint.cpp b/libraries/chain/db_maint.cpp
index b88111ec..962aeec1 100644
--- a/libraries/chain/db_maint.cpp
+++ b/libraries/chain/db_maint.cpp
@@ -130,7 +130,11 @@ void database::pay_workers( share_type& budget )
 void database::update_active_witnesses()
 { try {
    assert( _witness_count_histogram_buffer.size() > 0 );
-   share_type stake_target = _total_voting_stake / 2;
+   share_type stake_target = (_total_voting_stake-_witness_count_histogram_buffer[0]) / 2;
+
+#warning HARDFORK - remove this code after Oct 2 testnet is over.
+   if( head_block_time() < fc::time_point_sec(1443900665) )
+      stake_target = _total_voting_stake/2;
    /// accounts that vote for 0 or 1 witness do not get to express an opinion on
    /// the number of witnesses to have (they abstain and are non-voting accounts)
 
@@ -211,7 +215,13 @@ void database::update_active_witnesses()
 void database::update_active_committee_members()
 { try {
    assert( _committee_count_histogram_buffer.size() > 0 );
-   uint64_t stake_target = _total_voting_stake / 2;
+   share_type stake_target = (_total_voting_stake-_witness_count_histogram_buffer[0]) / 2;
+
+#warning HARDFORK - remove this code after Oct 2 testnet is over.
+   if( head_block_time() < fc::time_point_sec(1443900665) )
+      stake_target = _total_voting_stake/2;
+
+
    /// accounts that vote for 0 or 1 witness do not get to express an opinion on
    /// the number of witnesses to have (they abstain and are non-voting accounts)
    uint64_t stake_tally = 0; // _committee_count_histogram_buffer[0];