diff --git a/eth/downloader/downloader.go b/eth/downloader/downloader.go
index ca8afe014..7e1c2c877 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/downloader.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/downloader.go
@@ -963,10 +963,10 @@ func (d *Downloader) fetchHeaders(p *peerConnection, from uint64, pivot uint64)
 	defer p.log.Debug("Header download terminated")
 
 	// Create a timeout timer, and the associated header fetcher
-	skeleton := d.mode != StagedSync // Skeleton assembly phase or finishing up
-	request := time.Now()            // time of the last skeleton fetch request
-	timeout := time.NewTimer(0)      // timer to dump a non-responsive active peer
-	<-timeout.C                      // timeout channel should be initially empty
+	skeleton := true            // Skeleton assembly phase or finishing up
+	request := time.Now()       // time of the last skeleton fetch request
+	timeout := time.NewTimer(0) // timer to dump a non-responsive active peer
+	<-timeout.C                 // timeout channel should be initially empty
 	defer timeout.Stop()
 
 	var ttl time.Duration