diff --git a/consensus/clique/clique.go b/consensus/clique/clique.go
index 8335d5cc3e..caea25bb92 100644
--- a/consensus/clique/clique.go
+++ b/consensus/clique/clique.go
@@ -718,9 +718,10 @@ func (c *Clique) Seal(chain consensus.ChainReader, block *types.Block, stop <-ch
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	masternodes := []common.Address{}	
 	if _, authorized := snap.Signers[signer]; !authorized {
 		valid := false
-		masternodes := c.GetMasternodes(chain, header)
+		masternodes = c.GetMasternodes(chain, header)
 		for _, m := range masternodes {
 			if m == signer {
 				valid = true
@@ -735,7 +736,7 @@ func (c *Clique) Seal(chain consensus.ChainReader, block *types.Block, stop <-ch
 	for seen, recent := range snap.Recents {
 		if recent == signer {
 			// Signer is among recents, only wait if the current block doesn't shift it out
-			if limit := uint64(len(snap.Signers)/2 + 1); number < limit || seen > number-limit {
+			if limit := uint64(len(masternodes)/2 + 1); number < limit || seen > number-limit {
 				log.Info("Signed recently, must wait for others")
 				<-stop
 				return nil, nil