diff --git a/core/blockchain.go b/core/blockchain.go
index f083f53e04..590e05e0a8 100644
--- a/core/blockchain.go
+++ b/core/blockchain.go
@@ -329,6 +329,8 @@ func (bc *BlockChain) loadLastState() error {
 	if head == (common.Hash{}) {
 		// Corrupt or empty database, init from scratch
 		log.Warn("Empty database, resetting chain")
+		bc.chainmu.Unlock()
+		defer bc.chainmu.Lock()
 		return bc.Reset()
 	}
 	// Make sure the entire head block is available
@@ -336,6 +338,8 @@ func (bc *BlockChain) loadLastState() error {
 	if currentBlock == nil {
 		// Corrupt or empty database, init from scratch
 		log.Warn("Head block missing, resetting chain", "hash", head)
+		bc.chainmu.Unlock()
+		defer bc.chainmu.Lock()
 		return bc.Reset()
 	}
 	// Make sure the state associated with the block is available
diff --git a/light/lightchain.go b/light/lightchain.go
index 636e06f518..88bea4fead 100644
--- a/light/lightchain.go
+++ b/light/lightchain.go
@@ -153,7 +153,9 @@ func (lc *LightChain) HeaderChain() *core.HeaderChain {
 func (lc *LightChain) loadLastState() error {
 	if head := rawdb.ReadHeadHeaderHash(lc.chainDb); head == (common.Hash{}) {
 		// Corrupt or empty database, init from scratch
+		lc.chainmu.Unlock()
 		lc.Reset()
+		lc.chainmu.Lock()
 	} else {
 		if header := lc.GetHeaderByHash(head); header != nil {
 			lc.hc.SetCurrentHeader(header)