diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index e606a2667..84abe0880 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -1020,7 +1020,8 @@ bool ContextualCheckTransaction(
 
     // If Sprout rules apply, reject transactions which are intended for Overwinter and beyond
     if (isSprout && tx.fOverwintered) {
-        return state.DoS(nHeight < Params().GetConsensus().vUpgrades[Consensus::UPGRADE_OVERWINTER].nActivationHeight ? 0 : dosLevel,error("ContextualCheckTransaction(): ht.%d activates.%d dosLevel.%d overwinter is not active yet",nHeight, Params().GetConsensus().vUpgrades[Consensus::UPGRADE_OVERWINTER].nActivationHeight, dosLevel),REJECT_INVALID, "tx-overwinter-not-active");
+        int32_t ht = Params().GetConsensus().vUpgrades[Consensus::UPGRADE_OVERWINTER].nActivationHeight;
+        return state.DoS((ht < 0 || nHeight < ht) ? 0 : dosLevel,error("ContextualCheckTransaction(): ht.%d activates.%d dosLevel.%d overwinter is not active yet",nHeight, Params().GetConsensus().vUpgrades[Consensus::UPGRADE_OVERWINTER].nActivationHeight, dosLevel),REJECT_INVALID, "tx-overwinter-not-active");
         //return state.DoS(isInitBlockDownload() ? 0 : dosLevel,error("ContextualCheckTransaction(): ht.%d activates.%d dosLevel.%d overwinter is not active yet",nHeight, Params().GetConsensus().vUpgrades[Consensus::UPGRADE_OVERWINTER].nActivationHeight, dosLevel),REJECT_INVALID, "tx-overwinter-not-active");
     }