diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 5371bed51..79182bad8 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -4551,11 +4551,11 @@ bool ProcessNewBlock(bool from_miner,int32_t height,CValidationState &state, CNo
     auto verifier = libzcash::ProofVerifier::Disabled();
     hash = pblock->GetHash();
     //fprintf(stderr,"ProcessBlock %d\n",(int32_t)chainActive.LastTip()->nHeight);
-    if ( chainActive.LastTip() != 0 )
-        komodo_currentheight_set(chainActive.LastTip()->nHeight);
-    checked = CheckBlock(&futureblock,height!=0?height:komodo_block2height(pblock),0,*pblock, state, verifier,0);
     {
         LOCK(cs_main);
+        if ( chainActive.LastTip() != 0 )
+            komodo_currentheight_set(chainActive.LastTip()->nHeight);
+        checked = CheckBlock(&futureblock,height!=0?height:komodo_block2height(pblock),0,*pblock, state, verifier,0);
         bool fRequested = MarkBlockAsReceived(hash);
         fRequested |= fForceProcessing;
         if ( checked != 0 && komodo_checkPOW(0,pblock,height) < 0 ) //from_miner && ASSETCHAINS_STAKED == 0
diff --git a/src/miner.cpp b/src/miner.cpp
index 1750e27ca..fb2eb2d05 100644
--- a/src/miner.cpp
+++ b/src/miner.cpp
@@ -493,8 +493,23 @@ CBlockTemplate* CreateNewBlock(const CScript& scriptPubKeyIn,int32_t gpucount)
                 return(0);
             }
         }
+        else if ( ASSETCHAINS_CC == 0 && pindexPrev != 0 && ASSETCHAINS_STAKED == 0 && (ASSETCHAINS_SYMBOL[0] != 0 || IS_KOMODO_NOTARY == 0 || My_notaryid < 0) )
+        {
+            CValidationState state;
+            //fprintf(stderr,"check validity\n");
+            if ( !TestBlockValidity(state, *pblock, pindexPrev, false, false)) // invokes CC checks
+            {
+                //static uint32_t counter;
+                //if ( counter++ < 100 && ASSETCHAINS_STAKED == 0 )
+                //    fprintf(stderr,"warning: miner testblockvalidity failed\n");
+                fprintf(stderr,"invalid\n");
+                return(0);
+            }
+            //fprintf(stderr,"valid\n");
+        }
     }
-    if ( pindexPrev != 0 && ASSETCHAINS_STAKED == 0 && (ASSETCHAINS_SYMBOL[0] != 0 || IS_KOMODO_NOTARY == 0 || My_notaryid < 0) )
+    /* skip checking validity outside of lock. if inside lock and CC contract is being validated, can deadlock.
+     if ( ASSETCHAINS_CC != 0 && pindexPrev != 0 && ASSETCHAINS_STAKED == 0 && (ASSETCHAINS_SYMBOL[0] != 0 || IS_KOMODO_NOTARY == 0 || My_notaryid < 0) )
     {
         CValidationState state;
         //fprintf(stderr,"check validity\n");
@@ -507,7 +522,7 @@ CBlockTemplate* CreateNewBlock(const CScript& scriptPubKeyIn,int32_t gpucount)
             return(0);
         }
         //fprintf(stderr,"valid\n");
-    }
+    }*/
     //fprintf(stderr,"done new block\n");
 
     return pblocktemplate.release();