diff --git a/lib/blockchain/chaindb.js b/lib/blockchain/chaindb.js
index ec1e5962..c560c108 100644
--- a/lib/blockchain/chaindb.js
+++ b/lib/blockchain/chaindb.js
@@ -1329,7 +1329,8 @@ ChainDB.prototype._save = async function save(entry, block, view) {
   }
 
   // Hash->next-block index.
-  this.put(layout.n(entry.prevBlock), hash);
+  if (!entry.isGenesis())
+    this.put(layout.n(entry.prevBlock), hash);
 
   // Height->hash index.
   this.put(layout.H(entry.height), hash);
@@ -1375,6 +1376,8 @@ ChainDB.prototype.reconnect = async function reconnect(entry, block, view) {
 ChainDB.prototype._reconnect = async function reconnect(entry, block, view) {
   let hash = block.hash();
 
+  assert(!entry.isGenesis());
+
   // We can now add a hash->next-block index.
   this.put(layout.n(entry.prevBlock), hash);