diff --git a/container/ethereum.go b/container/ethereum.go
index 46cd12fc..3f627188 100644
--- a/container/ethereum.go
+++ b/container/ethereum.go
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ const (
 )
 
 var (
+	ErrNoBlock          = errors.New("no block generated")
 	ErrConsensusTimeout = errors.New("consensus timeout")
 )
 
@@ -386,25 +387,30 @@ func (eth *ethereum) ConsensusMonitor(errCh chan<- error, quit chan struct{}) {
 	}
 	defer sub.Unsubscribe()
 
+	timer := time.NewTimer(10 * time.Second)
+	blockNumber := uint64(0)
 	for {
-		latestUpdate := time.Now()
 		select {
 		case err := <-sub.Err():
 			log.Printf("Connection lost: %v", err)
 			errCh <- err
 			return
+		case <-timer.C:
+			if blockNumber == 0 {
+				errCh <- ErrNoBlock
+			} else {
+				errCh <- ErrConsensusTimeout
+			}
+			return
 		case head := <-subCh:
+			blockNumber = head.Number.Uint64()
 			// Ensure that mining is stable.
 			if head.Number.Uint64() < 3 {
 				continue
 			}
 
 			// Block is generated by 2 seconds. We tolerate 1 second delay in consensus.
-			if time.Now().Sub(latestUpdate).Seconds() > 3.0 {
-				errCh <- ErrConsensusTimeout
-				return
-			}
-			latestUpdate = time.Now()
+			timer.Reset(3 * time.Second)
 		case <-quit:
 			return
 		}