diff --git a/packages/blockchain/src/blockchain.ts b/packages/blockchain/src/blockchain.ts
index 47d8efef77..8c5b5e5f2e 100644
--- a/packages/blockchain/src/blockchain.ts
+++ b/packages/blockchain/src/blockchain.ts
@@ -378,7 +378,12 @@ export class Blockchain implements BlockchainInterface {
           )
         }
 
-        if (this._validateBlocks && !isGenesis && item instanceof Block && optimisticOpts === undefined) {
+        if (
+          this._validateBlocks &&
+          !isGenesis &&
+          item instanceof Block &&
+          optimisticOpts === undefined
+        ) {
           // this calls into `getBlock`, which is why we cannot lock yet
           await this.validateBlock(block)
         }
diff --git a/packages/client/test/sync/skeleton.spec.ts b/packages/client/test/sync/skeleton.spec.ts
index 64c48c5d08..4ff4a98df4 100644
--- a/packages/client/test/sync/skeleton.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/client/test/sync/skeleton.spec.ts
@@ -242,6 +242,7 @@ describe('[Skeleton] / initSync', async () => {
         storageCache: 1000,
       })
       const chain = await Chain.create({ config })
+      ;(chain.blockchain as any)._validateBlocks = false
       const skeleton = new Skeleton({ chain, config, metaDB: new MemoryLevel() })
       await skeleton.open()
 
@@ -359,6 +360,7 @@ describe('[Skeleton] / setHead', async () => {
         storageCache: 1000,
       })
       const chain = await Chain.create({ config })
+      ;(chain.blockchain as any)._validateBlocks = false
       const skeleton = new Skeleton({ chain, config, metaDB: new MemoryLevel() })
       await skeleton.open()
       for (const block of testCase.blocks ?? []) {