diff --git a/core/blockchain.go b/core/blockchain.go
index 25b37b5cce..ce4a0e90c1 100644
--- a/core/blockchain.go
+++ b/core/blockchain.go
@@ -1307,6 +1307,11 @@ func (bc *BlockChain) StopInsert() {
 	bc.procInterrupt.Store(true)
 }
 
+// ResumeInsert re-enables the blockchain insertion, which is used to rewinding the chain to
+func (bc *BlockChain) ResumeInsert() {
+	bc.procInterrupt.Store(false)
+}
+
 // insertStopped returns true after StopInsert has been called.
 func (bc *BlockChain) insertStopped() bool {
 	return bc.procInterrupt.Load()
diff --git a/eth/api_backend.go b/eth/api_backend.go
index 8ec19308f9..86fc2f81c9 100644
--- a/eth/api_backend.go
+++ b/eth/api_backend.go
@@ -62,8 +62,10 @@ func (b *EthAPIBackend) CurrentBlock() *types.Header {
 }
 
 func (b *EthAPIBackend) SetHead(number uint64) {
+	b.eth.blockchain.StopInsert()
 	b.eth.handler.downloader.Cancel()
 	b.eth.blockchain.SetHead(number)
+	b.eth.blockchain.ResumeInsert()
 }
 
 func (b *EthAPIBackend) HeaderByNumber(ctx context.Context, number rpc.BlockNumber) (*types.Header, error) {