diff --git a/lib/blockchain/chain.js b/lib/blockchain/chain.js
index 7e943a0b5..d0b9cd450 100644
--- a/lib/blockchain/chain.js
+++ b/lib/blockchain/chain.js
@@ -1006,11 +1006,8 @@ class Chain extends AsyncEmitter {
       const ns = await view.getNameState(this.db, nameHash);
 
       if (ns.isNull()) {
-        if (!covenant.isClaim() && !covenant.isOpen()) {
-          const error = new CriticalError('Database inconsistency.');
-          this.emit('abort', error);
-          throw error;
-        }
+        if (!covenant.isClaim() && !covenant.isOpen())
+          throw new Error('Database inconsistency.');
 
         const name = covenant.get(2);
         ns.set(name, height);