diff --git a/packages/node-core/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/node-core/CHANGELOG.md
index 43e044076c..902c1ce350 100644
--- a/packages/node-core/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/node-core/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,10 +6,8 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 ### Fixed
+- Dictionary validation error causing application exit (#2101)
 - Auto queue flush getting the queue into a bad state (#2103)
-
-
-### Fixed
 - Fix getCache could not been cleared after reindex, and could have been re-used and lead to error, such as syncPoi
 
 ## [6.0.2] - 2023-10-12
diff --git a/packages/node-core/src/indexer/dictionary.service.ts b/packages/node-core/src/indexer/dictionary.service.ts
index 68a8930adc..fbd08edeaa 100644
--- a/packages/node-core/src/indexer/dictionary.service.ts
+++ b/packages/node-core/src/indexer/dictionary.service.ts
@@ -427,22 +427,27 @@ export class DictionaryService {
 
   private dictionaryValidation(metaData?: MetaData, startBlockHeight?: number): boolean {
     const validate = (): boolean => {
-      if (!metaData) {
-        return false;
-      }
-      // Some dictionaries rely on chain others rely on genesisHash
-      if (!this.validateChainMeta(metaData)) {
-        logger.error(
-          'The dictionary that you have specified does not match the chain you are indexing, it will be ignored. Please update your project manifest to reference the correct dictionary'
-        );
-        return false;
-      }
+      try {
+        if (!metaData) {
+          return false;
+        }
+        // Some dictionaries rely on chain others rely on genesisHash
+        if (!this.validateChainMeta(metaData)) {
+          logger.error(
+            'The dictionary that you have specified does not match the chain you are indexing, it will be ignored. Please update your project manifest to reference the correct dictionary'
+          );
+          return false;
+        }
 
-      if (startBlockHeight !== undefined && metaData.lastProcessedHeight < startBlockHeight) {
-        logger.warn(`Dictionary indexed block is behind current indexing block height`);
+        if (startBlockHeight !== undefined && metaData.lastProcessedHeight < startBlockHeight) {
+          logger.warn(`Dictionary indexed block is behind current indexing block height`);
+          return false;
+        }
+        return true;
+      } catch (e: any) {
+        logger.error(e, 'Unable to validate dictionary metadata');
         return false;
       }
-      return true;
     };
 
     const valid = validate();