diff --git a/pkg/core/blockchain.go b/pkg/core/blockchain.go
index 72039a61c..3df35e004 100644
--- a/pkg/core/blockchain.go
+++ b/pkg/core/blockchain.go
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ func NewBlockchain(s storage.Store, cfg config.Blockchain, log *zap.Logger) (*Bl
 			cfg.Hardforks[hf.String()] = 0
 		}
 		log.Info("Hardforks are not set, using default value")
-	} else {
+	} else if len(cfg.Hardforks) != 0 {
 		// Explicitly set the height of all old omitted hardforks to 0 for proper
 		// IsHardforkEnabled behaviour.
 		for _, hf := range config.Hardforks {
diff --git a/pkg/core/blockchain_core_test.go b/pkg/core/blockchain_core_test.go
index dac7abee2..c431d508e 100644
--- a/pkg/core/blockchain_core_test.go
+++ b/pkg/core/blockchain_core_test.go
@@ -361,9 +361,9 @@ func TestBlockchain_IsRunning(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestNewBlockchain_InitHardforks(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Run("empty set", func(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("nil set", func(t *testing.T) {
 		bc := newTestChainWithCustomCfg(t, func(c *config.Config) {
-			c.ProtocolConfiguration.Hardforks = map[string]uint32{}
+			c.ProtocolConfiguration.Hardforks = nil
 			require.NoError(t, c.ProtocolConfiguration.Validate())
 		})
 		require.Equal(t, map[string]uint32{
@@ -372,6 +372,13 @@ func TestNewBlockchain_InitHardforks(t *testing.T) {
 			config.HFCockatrice.String():    0,
 		}, bc.GetConfig().Hardforks)
 	})
+	t.Run("empty set", func(t *testing.T) {
+		bc := newTestChainWithCustomCfg(t, func(c *config.Config) {
+			c.ProtocolConfiguration.Hardforks = map[string]uint32{}
+			require.NoError(t, c.ProtocolConfiguration.Validate())
+		})
+		require.Equal(t, map[string]uint32{}, bc.GetConfig().Hardforks)
+	})
 	t.Run("missing old", func(t *testing.T) {
 		bc := newTestChainWithCustomCfg(t, func(c *config.Config) {
 			c.ProtocolConfiguration.Hardforks = map[string]uint32{config.HFBasilisk.String(): 5}