diff --git a/pkg/core/native/interop.go b/pkg/core/native/interop.go
index c36200acf..f2e3e487a 100644
--- a/pkg/core/native/interop.go
+++ b/pkg/core/native/interop.go
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import (
 
 // Deploy deploys native contract.
 func Deploy(ic *interop.Context, _ *vm.VM) error {
-	if ic.Block.Index != 0 {
+	if ic.Block == nil || ic.Block.Index != 0 {
 		return errors.New("native contracts can be deployed only at 0 block")
 	}