diff --git a/trace4cats/src/main/scala/prometheus4cats/trace4cats/Trace4CatsExemplarSampler.scala b/trace4cats/src/main/scala/prometheus4cats/trace4cats/Trace4CatsExemplarSampler.scala
index b998ade..daad175 100644
--- a/trace4cats/src/main/scala/prometheus4cats/trace4cats/Trace4CatsExemplarSampler.scala
+++ b/trace4cats/src/main/scala/prometheus4cats/trace4cats/Trace4CatsExemplarSampler.scala
@@ -132,7 +132,6 @@ object Trace4CatsExemplarSampler extends Trace4CatsExemplarSamplerInstances {
           .filter(
             _.timestamp.toEpochMilli - prev.timestamp.toEpochMilli > minRetentionIntervalMs
           )
-          .orElse(previous)
       case None => next
     }
   }