diff --git a/cmd/neofs-adm/internal/modules/morph/initialize.go b/cmd/neofs-adm/internal/modules/morph/initialize.go
index cbf98a630..6f2912280 100644
--- a/cmd/neofs-adm/internal/modules/morph/initialize.go
+++ b/cmd/neofs-adm/internal/modules/morph/initialize.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"path"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/core/native/nativenames"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/core/transaction"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/crypto/keys"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/rpc/client"
@@ -133,10 +134,17 @@ func newInitializeContext(cmd *cobra.Command, v *viper.Viper) (*initializeContex
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("can't get native contract hashes: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	notaryEnabled := false
 	nativeHashes := make(map[string]util.Uint160, len(ns))
 	for i := range ns {
+		if ns[i].Manifest.Name == nativenames.Notary {
+			notaryEnabled = len(ns[i].UpdateHistory) > 0
+		}
 		nativeHashes[ns[i].Manifest.Name] = ns[i].Hash
 	}
+	if !notaryEnabled {
+		return nil, errors.New("notary contract must be enabled")
+	}
 
 	accounts := make([]*wallet.Account, len(wallets))
 	for i, w := range wallets {