diff --git a/src/currency_core/blockchain_storage.cpp b/src/currency_core/blockchain_storage.cpp
index 043b1cf7..76f8a9ff 100644
--- a/src/currency_core/blockchain_storage.cpp
+++ b/src/currency_core/blockchain_storage.cpp
@@ -1610,7 +1610,7 @@ bool blockchain_storage::handle_alternative_block(const block& b, const crypto::
     if (abei.height >= m_core_runtime_config.pos_minimum_heigh)
       cumulative_diff_delta = correct_difficulty_with_sequence_factor(sequence_factor, cumulative_diff_delta);
 
-    if (abei.height > BLOCKCHAIN_HEIGHT_FOR_POS_STRICT_SEQUENCE_LIMITATION && pos_block && sequence_factor > BLOCK_POS_STRICT_SEQUENCE_LIMIT)
+    if (abei.height > BLOCKCHAIN_HEIGHT_FOR_POS_STRICT_SEQUENCE_LIMITATION && abei.height <= m_core_runtime_config.hard_fork1_starts_after_height && pos_block && sequence_factor > BLOCK_POS_STRICT_SEQUENCE_LIMIT)
     {
       LOG_PRINT_RED_L0("Alternative block " << id << " @ " << abei.height << " has too big sequence factor: " << sequence_factor << ", rejected");
       bvc.m_verification_failed = true;