diff --git a/lib/bcoin/chain.js b/lib/bcoin/chain.js
index 8da80d41..29c981d6 100644
--- a/lib/bcoin/chain.js
+++ b/lib/bcoin/chain.js
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ Chain.prototype.verify = function verify(block, prev, callback) {
 
       // Blocks that do not commit to
       // witness data cannot contain it.
-      if (!commitmentHash && self.options.witness) {
+      if (!commitmentHash) {
         if (block.hasWitness()) {
           return callback(new VerifyError(block,
             'invalid',