diff --git a/eth/stagedsync/stage_headers.go b/eth/stagedsync/stage_headers.go
index 10d93bebd..498ae67ec 100644
--- a/eth/stagedsync/stage_headers.go
+++ b/eth/stagedsync/stage_headers.go
@@ -587,9 +587,9 @@ func verifyAndSaveNewPoSHeader(
 
 	currentHeadHash := rawdb.ReadHeadHeaderHash(tx)
 	canExtendCanonical := header.ParentHash == currentHeadHash
-	canExtendInMemory := cfg.memoryOverlay && (cfg.forkValidator.ExtendingForkHeadHash() == (common.Hash{}) || header.ParentHash == cfg.forkValidator.ExtendingForkHeadHash())
+	canExtendFork := cfg.forkValidator.ExtendingForkHeadHash() == (common.Hash{}) || header.ParentHash == cfg.forkValidator.ExtendingForkHeadHash()
 
-	if canExtendInMemory || !canExtendCanonical {
+	if cfg.memoryOverlay && (canExtendFork || !canExtendCanonical) {
 		status, latestValidHash, validationError, criticalError := cfg.forkValidator.ValidatePayload(tx, header, body, canExtendCanonical)
 		if criticalError != nil {
 			return &privateapi.PayloadStatus{CriticalError: criticalError}, false, criticalError
@@ -608,11 +608,16 @@ func verifyAndSaveNewPoSHeader(
 		}, success, nil
 	}
 
-	// OK, we're on the canonical chain
 	if err := headerInserter.FeedHeaderPoS(tx, header, headerHash); err != nil {
 		return nil, false, err
 	}
 
+	if !canExtendCanonical {
+		log.Info("Side chain or something weird", "parentHash", header.ParentHash, "currentHead", currentHeadHash)
+		return &privateapi.PayloadStatus{Status: remote.EngineStatus_ACCEPTED}, true, nil
+	}
+
+	// OK, we're on the canonical chain
 	if requestStatus == engineapi.New {
 		cfg.hd.SetPendingPayloadHash(headerHash)
 	}