diff --git a/core/txpool/validation.go b/core/txpool/validation.go
index c066474f8f..fd588dcd44 100644
--- a/core/txpool/validation.go
+++ b/core/txpool/validation.go
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func ValidateTransaction(tx *types.Transaction, blobs []kzg4844.Blob, commits []
 		return core.ErrTipAboveFeeCap
 	}
 	// Make sure the transaction is signed properly
-	if _, err := types.Sender(signer, tx); err != nil || !opts.AllowUnprotectedTxs {
+	if _, err := types.Sender(signer, tx); err != nil && !opts.AllowUnprotectedTxs {
 		return ErrInvalidSender
 	}
 	// Ensure the transaction has more gas than the bare minimum needed to cover