diff --git a/x/bank/types/balance.go b/x/bank/types/balance.go
index 49330bc06a..6150679023 100644
--- a/x/bank/types/balance.go
+++ b/x/bank/types/balance.go
@@ -34,11 +34,6 @@ func (b Balance) Validate() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-
-	if len(b.Coins) == 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("empty or nil coins for address %s", b.Address)
-	}
-
 	seenDenoms := make(map[string]bool)
 
 	// NOTE: we perform a custom validation since the coins.Validate function
diff --git a/x/bank/types/balance_test.go b/x/bank/types/balance_test.go
index 6282b2478b..3987f5189e 100644
--- a/x/bank/types/balance_test.go
+++ b/x/bank/types/balance_test.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ func TestBalanceValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			bank.Balance{
 				Address: "cosmos1yq8lgssgxlx9smjhes6ryjasmqmd3ts2559g0t",
 			},
-			true,
+			false,
 		},
 		{
 			"dup coins",
diff --git a/x/bank/types/genesis_test.go b/x/bank/types/genesis_test.go
index a177ddcdab..fa1c836c9c 100644
--- a/x/bank/types/genesis_test.go
+++ b/x/bank/types/genesis_test.go
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			true,
 		},
 		{
-			"invalid balance",
+			"0  balance",
 			GenesisState{
 				Balances: []Balance{
 					{
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					},
 				},
 			},
-			true,
+			false,
 		},
 		{
 			"dup Metadata",