diff --git a/contracts/Distributor.sol b/contracts/Distributor.sol
index 5f342dc..596863b 100644
--- a/contracts/Distributor.sol
+++ b/contracts/Distributor.sol
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ contract Distributor is UUPSHelper {
 
     /// @notice Returns the MerkleRoot that is currently live for the contract
     function getMerkleRoot() public view returns (bytes32) {
-        if (block.timestamp >= endOfDisputePeriod) return tree.merkleRoot;
+        if (block.timestamp >= endOfDisputePeriod && disputer == address(0)) return tree.merkleRoot;
         else return lastTree.merkleRoot;
     }