diff --git a/lib/crypto/merkle.js b/lib/crypto/merkle.js
index 8e05dd73..c54245a3 100644
--- a/lib/crypto/merkle.js
+++ b/lib/crypto/merkle.js
@@ -95,14 +95,16 @@ exports.createBranch = function createBranch(index, leaves) {
  */
 
 exports.verifyBranch = function verifyBranch(hash, branch, index) {
+  let root = hash;
+
   for (let otherside of branch) {
     if (index & 1)
-      hash = digest.root256(otherside, hash);
+      root = digest.root256(otherside, root);
     else
-      hash = digest.root256(hash, otherside);
+      root = digest.root256(root, otherside);
 
     index >>>= 1;
   }
 
-  return hash;
+  return root;
 };