diff --git a/lib/bcoin/ldb.js b/lib/bcoin/ldb.js
index 8615bb67..83de5249 100644
--- a/lib/bcoin/ldb.js
+++ b/lib/bcoin/ldb.js
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ function LowlevelUp(file, options) {
 
   // Stay as close to the metal as possible.
   // We want to make calls to C++ directly.
-  while (this.db.db && this.db.db.put)
+  while (this.db.db && this.db.db.put && this.db.db !== this.db)
     this.db = this.db.db;
 
   this.binding = this.db;