diff --git a/WickedEngine/wiLoader.h b/WickedEngine/wiLoader.h
index 8361d4513..96c8561ef 100644
--- a/WickedEngine/wiLoader.h
+++ b/WickedEngine/wiLoader.h
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ struct Material
 
 		planar_reflections = false;
 
-		alphaRef = 0.75f;
+		alphaRef = 1.0f; // no alpha test by default
 	}
 
 	bool IsTransparent() const { return alpha < 1.0f; }
diff --git a/WickedEngine/wiRenderer.cpp b/WickedEngine/wiRenderer.cpp
index 9ece76210..6c127580c 100644
--- a/WickedEngine/wiRenderer.cpp
+++ b/WickedEngine/wiRenderer.cpp
@@ -3980,7 +3980,15 @@ void wiRenderer::RenderMeshes(const XMFLOAT3& eye, const CulledCollection& culle
 						}
 
 						PSTYPES realPS = GetPSTYPE(shaderType, material);
-						GetDevice()->BindPS(pixelShaders[realPS], threadID);
+						if (shaderType == SHADERTYPE_SHADOW && material->alphaRef > 1.0f - 1.0f/256.0f)
+						{
+							// bypass pixel shader for non alpha tested shadows
+							GetDevice()->BindPS(nullptr, threadID);
+						}
+						else
+						{
+							GetDevice()->BindPS(pixelShaders[realPS], threadID);
+						}
 					}
 					else
 					{
diff --git a/WickedEngine/wiVersion.cpp b/WickedEngine/wiVersion.cpp
index 9dff3f724..78ccecbc9 100644
--- a/WickedEngine/wiVersion.cpp
+++ b/WickedEngine/wiVersion.cpp
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ namespace wiVersion
 	// minor features, major updates
 	const int minor = 11;
 	// minor bug fixes, alterations, refactors, updates
-	const int revision = 36;
+	const int revision = 37;
 
 
 	long GetVersion()