diff --git a/chain/seeker.go b/chain/seeker.go
index c76e18ae..52577411 100644
--- a/chain/seeker.go
+++ b/chain/seeker.go
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ func (s *Seeker) Err() error {
 }
 
 func (s *Seeker) LastPowNonce() (uint64, error) {
+	if s.chain == nil {
+		return uint64(1001) /*Genesis Nonce*/, nil
+	}
 	bestK, err := s.chain.BestKBlock()
 	if err != nil {
 		return uint64(0), err