diff --git a/common/placer_heap.cc b/common/placer_heap.cc
index 97c9c4e5..042f3046 100644
--- a/common/placer_heap.cc
+++ b/common/placer_heap.cc
@@ -1322,6 +1322,10 @@ class HeAPPlacer
                     continue;
                 }
 
+                if (cell.belStrength > STRENGTH_STRONG) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+
                 // Transfer chain extents to the actual chains structure
                 ChainExtent *ce = nullptr;
                 if (p->chain_root.count(cell_name)) {