The effect of initial heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of boron-free and boron-containing modified 9Cr-1Mo steel (P91 and P91B, respectively) has been studied under different heat-treatment conditions. The prior austenite grains evolved in P91 steel, having different prior austenite grain sizes, were found to be similar in size after heat treatment in the range of 1073 K to 1448 K (800 C to 1175 C) for 5 minutes. The microstructural evolution in P91B steel having different prior austenite grain sizes appeared to be uniform when subjected to different heat-treatment temperatures with the prior austenite grain size being similar to that of initial grain size. Lath martensite was observed in P91B steel after all heat treatments. On the other hand, lath martensite was observed in P91 steel only when subjected to high-temperature heat treatment, whereas subgrain/substructure as well as coarse precipitates were observed after a lower temperature heat treatment. Large differences in the hardness/strength values between different microstructures corresponding to coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) and intercritical HAZ (ICHAZ) of P91 steel weldment were due to the distinct difference in these microstructures. The difference in hardness/strength values between the CGHAZ and ICHAZ was found to be insignificant in P91B steel under similar heat-treatment conditions. © 2013 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International.