diff --git a/beacon-chain/blockchain/process_block.go b/beacon-chain/blockchain/process_block.go
index df6c72372..a713a0b50 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/blockchain/process_block.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/blockchain/process_block.go
@@ -649,11 +649,13 @@ func (s *Service) lateBlockTasks(ctx context.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 	s.headLock.RUnlock()
+	s.cfg.ForkChoiceStore.RLock()
 	_, err = s.notifyForkchoiceUpdate(ctx, &notifyForkchoiceUpdateArg{
 		headState: headState,
 		headRoot:  headRoot,
 		headBlock: headBlock.Block(),
 	})
+	s.cfg.ForkChoiceStore.RUnlock()
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithError(err).Debug("could not perform late block tasks: failed to update forkchoice with engine")
 	}