diff --git a/lib/opFns.js b/lib/opFns.js
index b48debd689..14fefca3bf 100644
--- a/lib/opFns.js
+++ b/lib/opFns.js
@@ -312,12 +312,8 @@ module.exports = {
     }
 
     stateManager.getBlockHash(number, function (err, blockHash) {
-      if (err) {
-        // if we are at a low block height and request a blockhash before the genesis block
-        cb(null, Buffer.from([0]))
-      } else {
-        cb(null, blockHash)
-      }
+      if (err) return cb(err)
+      cb(null, blockHash)
     })
   },
   COINBASE: function (runState) {