diff --git a/eth/syncer/syncer.go b/eth/syncer/syncer.go
index dd3103bca9..34b74e8c70 100644
--- a/eth/syncer/syncer.go
+++ b/eth/syncer/syncer.go
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ func (s *Syncer) run() {
 
 // Start launches the synchronization service.
 func (s *Syncer) Start() error {
+	s.wg.Add(1)
 	go s.run()
 	if s.target == (common.Hash{}) {
 		return nil