diff --git a/src/init.cpp b/src/init.cpp
index 96302dc9..dccbda3b 100644
--- a/src/init.cpp
+++ b/src/init.cpp
@@ -726,6 +726,11 @@ bool AppInit2(boost::thread_group& threadGroup)
                     strLoadError = _("Corrupted block database detected");
                     break;
                 }
+
+                if( mapBlockIndex.size() > 1000 && nBestHeight == 0 ) {
+                    strLoadError = _("mapBlockIndex detected but nBestHeight still zero, trying to repair (reindex)");
+                    break;
+                }
             } catch(std::exception &e) {
                 strLoadError = _("Error opening block database");
                 break;