Embodiments for a processor that selectively enables and disables branch prediction are disclosed. The processor may include counters to track a number of fetched instructions, a number of branches, and a number of mispredicted branches. A misprediction threshold may be calculated dependent upon the tracked number of branches and a predefined misprediction ratio. Branch prediction may then be disabled when the number of mispredictions exceed the determined threshold value and dependent upon the branch rate.