diff --git a/lib/blockchain/chain.js b/lib/blockchain/chain.js
index 08d6dfaa..7e94c6a7 100644
--- a/lib/blockchain/chain.js
+++ b/lib/blockchain/chain.js
@@ -2697,8 +2697,10 @@ class ChainOptions {
    */
 
   fromOptions(options) {
-    assert(options.blocks && typeof options.blocks === 'object',
-           'Chain requires a blockstore.');
+    if (!options.spv) {
+      assert(options.blocks && typeof options.blocks === 'object',
+             'Chain requires a blockstore.');
+    }
 
     this.blocks = options.blocks;