diff --git a/core/blockchain.go b/core/blockchain.go
index c719883ee..156efe303 100644
--- a/core/blockchain.go
+++ b/core/blockchain.go
@@ -644,6 +644,9 @@ func (bc *BlockChain) GetReceiptsByHash(hash common.Hash) types.Receipts {
 		return nil
 	}
 	receipts := rawdb.ReadReceipts(bc.db, hash, *number)
+	if receipts == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
 	bc.receiptsCache.Add(hash, receipts)
 	return receipts
 }