diff --git a/eth/protocols/eth/peer.go b/eth/protocols/eth/peer.go
index c8853fa0ce..b75a8c5fda 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/eth/peer.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/eth/peer.go
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ func (p *Peer) validateLastBlockReceipt(receiptLists []*ReceiptList, id uint64,
 
 	// Verify that the total number of transactions delivered is under the limit.
 	var minTxGas uint64
-	if p.chainConfig.AmsterdamTime != nil && *p.chainConfig.AmsterdamTime <= timestamp {
+	if p.chainConfig != nil && p.chainConfig.AmsterdamTime != nil && *p.chainConfig.AmsterdamTime <= timestamp {
 		minTxGas = 4500
 	} else {
 		minTxGas = 21000