Index: ratecontrol.c
===================================================================
--- ratecontrol.c	(revision 6777)
+++ ratecontrol.c	(working copy)
@@ -923,10 +923,11 @@
             "[lavc rc] Using all of requested bitrate is not "
             "necessary for this video with these parameters.\n");
     } else if (toobig == 40) {
-        av_log(s->avctx, AV_LOG_ERROR,
-            "[lavc rc] Error: bitrate too low for this video "
+        av_log(s->avctx, AV_LOG_INFO,
+            "[lavc rc] Warning: requested bitrate too low for this video "
             "with these parameters.\n");
-        return -1;
+        av_log(s->avctx, AV_LOG_INFO,
+            "[lavc rc] Trying to use the lowest bitrate possible.\n");
     } else if (fabs(expected_bits/all_available_bits - 1.0) > 0.01) {
         av_log(s->avctx, AV_LOG_ERROR,
             "[lavc rc] Error: 2pass curve failed to converge\n");