diff --git a/beacon-chain/blockchain/service.go b/beacon-chain/blockchain/service.go
index e002053f79..1e886c5d60 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/blockchain/service.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/blockchain/service.go
@@ -326,6 +326,7 @@ func (s *Service) saveGenesisData(ctx context.Context, genesisState *stateTrie.B
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "could not get genesis block root")
 	}
+	s.genesisRoot = genesisBlkRoot
 
 	if err := s.beaconDB.SaveBlock(ctx, genesisBlk); err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "could not save genesis block")