diff --git a/src/init.cpp b/src/init.cpp
index 220d3b93ae..afcfdb0621 100644
--- a/src/init.cpp
+++ b/src/init.cpp
@@ -1207,6 +1207,11 @@ bool AppInit2(boost::thread_group& threadGroup)
             vImportFiles.push_back(strFile);
     }
     threadGroup.create_thread(boost::bind(&ThreadImport, vImportFiles));
+    if (chainActive.Tip() == NULL) {
+        LogPrintf("Waiting for genesis block to be imported...\n");
+        while (!fRequestShutdown && chainActive.Tip() == NULL)
+            MilliSleep(10);
+    }
 
     // ********************************************************* Step 10: start node