diff --git a/crates/optimism/payload/src/builder.rs b/crates/optimism/payload/src/builder.rs
index 8bf6396128..5bb266ccbc 100644
--- a/crates/optimism/payload/src/builder.rs
+++ b/crates/optimism/payload/src/builder.rs
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ use reth_evm::{
 use reth_execution_types::ExecutionOutcome;
 use reth_optimism_evm::OpNextBlockEnvAttributes;
 use reth_optimism_forks::OpHardforks;
-use reth_optimism_primitives::transaction::OpTransaction;
+use reth_optimism_primitives::{transaction::OpTransaction, ADDRESS_L2_TO_L1_MESSAGE_PASSER};
 use reth_optimism_txpool::{
     interop::{is_valid_interop, MaybeInteropTransaction},
     OpPooledTx,
@@ -381,6 +381,12 @@ impl<Txs> OpBuilder<'_, Txs> {
         ctx.execute_sequencer_transactions(&mut builder)?;
         builder.into_executor().apply_post_execution_changes()?;
 
+        if ctx.chain_spec.is_isthmus_active_at_timestamp(ctx.attributes().timestamp()) {
+            // force load `L2ToL1MessagePasser.sol` so l2 withdrawals root can be computed even if
+            // no l2 withdrawals in block
+            _ = db.load_cache_account(ADDRESS_L2_TO_L1_MESSAGE_PASSER)?;
+        }
+
         let ExecutionWitnessRecord { hashed_state, codes, keys, lowest_block_number: _ } =
             ExecutionWitnessRecord::from_executed_state(&db);
         let state = state_provider.witness(Default::default(), hashed_state)?;