diff --git a/com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition/CHANGELOG.md b/com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition/CHANGELOG.md
index 9c3469d1869..7e80b910a8b 100644
--- a/com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.
 - Fixed Clearcoat on Stacklit or Lit breaks when URP is imported into the project (case 1297806)
 - Fixed timing issues with accumulation motion blur
 - Fixed an issue with the frame count management for the volumetric fog (case 1299251).
+- Fixed issue with shadow mask and area lights.
 
 ### Changed
 - Removed the material pass probe volumes evaluation mode.
diff --git a/com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition/Runtime/Lighting/LightEvaluation.hlsl b/com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition/Runtime/Lighting/LightEvaluation.hlsl
index abf522a0c67..ec987391400 100644
--- a/com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition/Runtime/Lighting/LightEvaluation.hlsl
+++ b/com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition/Runtime/Lighting/LightEvaluation.hlsl
@@ -481,12 +481,11 @@ SHADOW_TYPE EvaluateShadow_RectArea( LightLoopContext lightLoopContext, Position
 #ifndef LIGHT_EVALUATION_NO_SHADOWS
     float shadow        = 1.0;
     float shadowMask    = 1.0;
-    float NdotL         = dot(N, L); // Disable contact shadow and shadow mask when facing away from light (i.e transmission)
 
 #ifdef SHADOWS_SHADOWMASK
     // shadowMaskSelector.x is -1 if there is no shadow mask
     // Note that we override shadow value (in case we don't have any dynamic shadow)
-    shadow = shadowMask = (light.shadowMaskSelector.x >= 0.0 && NdotL > 0.0) ? dot(BUILTIN_DATA_SHADOW_MASK, light.shadowMaskSelector) : 1.0;
+    shadow = shadowMask = (light.shadowMaskSelector.x >= 0.0) ? dot(BUILTIN_DATA_SHADOW_MASK, light.shadowMaskSelector) : 1.0;
 #endif
 
     // When screen space shadows are not supported, this value is stripped out as it is a constant.