diff --git a/src/twomartens/masterthesis/aae/train.py b/src/twomartens/masterthesis/aae/train.py
index 5bdc2f8..bdca3b3 100644
--- a/src/twomartens/masterthesis/aae/train.py
+++ b/src/twomartens/masterthesis/aae/train.py
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ def train_mnist(folding_id: int, inlier_classes: Sequence[int], total_classes: i
     enc_dec_lowest_loss = math.inf
     zd_lowest_loss = math.inf
     xd_lowest_loss = math.inf
+    total_lowest_loss = math.inf
     grace_period = 3
     
     for epoch in range(train_epoch):
@@ -246,6 +247,12 @@ def train_mnist(folding_id: int, inlier_classes: Sequence[int], total_classes: i
 
         # check for improvements in error reduction - otherwise early stopping
         strike = False
+        total_strike = False
+        total_loss = encoder_loss + decoder_loss + enc_dec_loss + xd_loss + zd_loss
+        if total_loss < total_lowest_loss:
+            total_lowest_loss = total_loss
+        else:
+            total_strike = True
         if encoder_loss < encoder_lowest_loss:
             encoder_lowest_loss = encoder_loss
         else:
@@ -267,8 +274,10 @@ def train_mnist(folding_id: int, inlier_classes: Sequence[int], total_classes: i
         else:
             strike = True
         
-        if strike:
+        if strike and total_strike:
             grace_period -= 1
+        elif strike:
+            pass
         else:
             grace_period = 3