diff --git a/core/blockchain.go b/core/blockchain.go
index d7fcbd5e31..4bcfcff58d 100644
--- a/core/blockchain.go
+++ b/core/blockchain.go
@@ -245,7 +245,9 @@ func NewBlockChain(db ethdb.Database, cacheConfig *CacheConfig, chainConfig *par
 	// The first thing the node will do is reconstruct the verification data for
 	// the head block (ethash cache or clique voting snapshot). Might as well do
 	// it in advance.
-	bc.engine.VerifyHeader(bc, bc.CurrentHeader(), true)
+	if err := bc.engine.VerifyHeader(bc, bc.CurrentHeader(), true); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 
 	if frozen, err := bc.db.Ancients(); err == nil && frozen > 0 {
 		var (