diff --git a/beacon_node/http_api/src/state_id.rs b/beacon_node/http_api/src/state_id.rs
index 9e4aadef17e..8e5365a2488 100644
--- a/beacon_node/http_api/src/state_id.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/http_api/src/state_id.rs
@@ -70,10 +70,14 @@ impl StateId {
                     .map_err(BeaconChainError::DBError)
                     .map_err(warp_utils::reject::beacon_chain_error)?
                 {
+                    // Check fork choice for the optimistic status, falling back to the finalized
+                    // block's status if the block isn't found. The block may not be found if the
+                    // database has been slow to update its split point, while fork choice has
+                    // already updated and pruned the block.
                     let execution_optimistic = chain
                         .canonical_head
                         .fork_choice_read_lock()
-                        .is_optimistic_or_invalid_block_no_fallback(&hot_summary.latest_block_root)
+                        .is_optimistic_or_invalid_block(&hot_summary.latest_block_root)
                         .map_err(BeaconChainError::ForkChoiceError)
                         .map_err(warp_utils::reject::beacon_chain_error)?;
                     let finalized = chain