diff --git a/src/komodo_utils.h b/src/komodo_utils.h
index 02bdb07ad..a4af4da6f 100644
--- a/src/komodo_utils.h
+++ b/src/komodo_utils.h
@@ -1787,9 +1787,10 @@ void komodo_args(char *argv0)
         printf("KOMODO_REWIND %d\n",KOMODO_REWIND);
     }
     KOMODO_EARLYTXID = Parseuint256(GetArg("-earlytxid","0").c_str());
-    if (KOMODO_EARLYTXID!=zeroid && (tx_height(KOMODO_EARLYTXID)==0 || tx_height(KOMODO_EARLYTXID)>100))
+    CTransaction tx; uint256 blockhash;
+    if (KOMODO_EARLYTXID!=zeroid && myGetTransaction(KOMODO_EARLYTXID,tx,blockhash) && (mapBlockIndex[blockhash]->GetHeight() == 0 || mapBlockIndex[blockhash]->GetHeight() > 100))
     {
-        fprintf(stderr,"earlytx can be only in first 100 blocks or does not exist\n");
+        fprintf(stderr,"error: earlytx can be only in first 100 blocks or tx does not exist\n");
         StartShutdown();
     }
     ASSETCHAINS_EARLYTXIDCONTRACT = GetArg("-ac_earlytxidcontract",0);