diff --git a/Configuration/Applications/python/ConfigBuilder.py b/Configuration/Applications/python/ConfigBuilder.py
index 5ec8f19d48fed..06859645cb33a 100644
--- a/Configuration/Applications/python/ConfigBuilder.py
+++ b/Configuration/Applications/python/ConfigBuilder.py
@@ -1788,6 +1788,11 @@ def prepare_PAT(self, stepSpec = "miniAOD"):
             self._options.customise_commands = self._options.customise_commands + "process.slimmedPatTrigger.triggerResults= cms.InputTag( 'TriggerResults::"+self._options.hltProcess+"' )\n"
             self._options.customise_commands = self._options.customise_commands + "process.patMuons.triggerResults= cms.InputTag( 'TriggerResults::"+self._options.hltProcess+"' )\n"
 
+        # cpu efficiency boost when running PAT/MINI by itself
+        if self.stepKeys[0] == 'PAT':
+            if len(self._options.customise_commands) > 1:
+                self._options.customise_commands = self._options.customise_commands + " \n"
+            self._options.customise_commands = self._options.customise_commands + "process.source.delayReadingEventProducts = cms.untracked.bool(False)\n"
 #            self.renameHLTprocessInSequence(sequence)
 
         return
@@ -1850,7 +1855,12 @@ def prepare_NANO(self, stepSpec = '' ):
             if len(self._options.customise_commands) > 1:
                 self._options.customise_commands = self._options.customise_commands + " \n"
             self._options.customise_commands = self._options.customise_commands + "process.unpackedPatTrigger.triggerResults= cms.InputTag( 'TriggerResults::"+self._options.hltProcess+"' )\n"
-
+        # cpu efficiency boost when running NANO by itself
+        if self.stepKeys[0] == 'NANO':
+            if len(self._options.customise_commands) > 1:
+                self._options.customise_commands = self._options.customise_commands + " \n"
+            self._options.customise_commands = self._options.customise_commands + "process.source.delayReadingEventProducts = cms.untracked.bool(False)\n"
+            
     def prepare_SKIM(self, stepSpec = "all"):
         ''' Enrich the schedule with skimming fragments'''
         skimConfig,sequence,_ = self.loadDefaultOrSpecifiedCFF(stepSpec,self.SKIMDefaultCFF)