diff --git a/chain/transaction_pool.go b/chain/transaction_pool.go
index 119712ba8..ae96b0251 100644
--- a/chain/transaction_pool.go
+++ b/chain/transaction_pool.go
@@ -116,7 +116,11 @@ func (pool *TxPool) ValidateTransaction(tx *types.Transaction) error {
 
 	// Get the sender
 	//sender := pool.Ethereum.BlockManager().procState.GetAccount(tx.Sender())
-	sender := pool.Ethereum.BlockManager().CurrentState().GetAccount(tx.Sender())
+	senderAddr := tx.Sender()
+	if senderAddr == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("Invalid sender")
+	}
+	sender := pool.Ethereum.BlockManager().CurrentState().GetAccount(senderAddr)
 
 	totAmount := new(big.Int).Set(tx.Value)
 	// Make sure there's enough in the sender's account. Having insufficient
diff --git a/chain/types/transaction.go b/chain/types/transaction.go
index 626a7e5ce..5599512f6 100644
--- a/chain/types/transaction.go
+++ b/chain/types/transaction.go
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ func (tx *Transaction) Sender() []byte {
 
 	// Validate the returned key.
 	// Return nil if public key isn't in full format
-	if len(pubkey) != 0 && pubkey[0] != 4 {
+	if len(pubkey) == 0 || pubkey[0] != 4 {
 		return nil
 	}