diff --git a/testutil/network/util.go b/testutil/network/util.go
index eb08fbb3..ec94dbc6 100644
--- a/testutil/network/util.go
+++ b/testutil/network/util.go
@@ -197,6 +197,8 @@ func initGenFiles(cfg Config, genAccounts []authtypes.GenesisAccount, genBalance
 
 	// set the balances in the genesis state
 	var bankGenState banktypes.GenesisState
+	cfg.Codec.MustUnmarshalJSON(cfg.GenesisState[banktypes.ModuleName], &bankGenState)
+
 	bankGenState.Balances = genBalances
 	cfg.GenesisState[banktypes.ModuleName] = cfg.Codec.MustMarshalJSON(&bankGenState)