diff --git a/lib/bcoin/utils.js b/lib/bcoin/utils.js
index fff7ffce..c0de575c 100644
--- a/lib/bcoin/utils.js
+++ b/lib/bcoin/utils.js
@@ -1794,6 +1794,9 @@ utils.read64N = function read64N(data, off, force53, be) {
     return -(hi * 0x100000000 + lo + 1);
   }
 
+  if (force53)
+    hi &= 0x1fffff;
+
   assert((hi & 0xffe00000) === 0, 'Number exceeds 2^53-1');
 
   return hi * 0x100000000 + lo;