diff --git a/eth/ethconfig/config.go b/eth/ethconfig/config.go
index fef7f29f4e..c9179e9462 100644
--- a/eth/ethconfig/config.go
+++ b/eth/ethconfig/config.go
@@ -169,14 +169,18 @@ type Config struct {
 // Clique is allowed for now to live standalone, but ethash is forbidden and can
 // only exist on already merged networks.
 func CreateConsensusEngine(config *params.ChainConfig, db ethdb.Database) (consensus.Engine, error) {
+	// Wrap previously supported consensus engines into their post-merge counterpart
+	if config.Clique != nil {
+		// Enforce?
+		config.TerminalTotalDifficultyPassed = true
+		return beacon.New(clique.New(config.Clique, db)), nil
+	}
+
 	// Geth v1.14.0 dropped support for non-merged networks in any consensus
 	// mode. If such a network is requested, reject startup.
 	if !config.TerminalTotalDifficultyPassed {
 		return nil, errors.New("only PoS networks are supported, please transition old ones with Geth v1.13.x")
 	}
-	// Wrap previously supported consensus engines into their post-merge counterpart
-	if config.Clique != nil {
-		return beacon.New(clique.New(config.Clique, db)), nil
-	}
+
 	return beacon.New(ethash.NewFaker()), nil
 }