diff --git a/eth/downloader/downloader.go b/eth/downloader/downloader.go
index d8dbef726..6f1c94a91 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/downloader.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/downloader.go
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ var (
 	errNoPeers          = errors.New("no peers to keep download active")
 	ErrPendingQueue     = errors.New("pending items in queue")
 	ErrTimeout          = errors.New("timeout")
-	errEmptyHashSet     = errors.New("empty hash set by peer")
+	ErrEmptyHashSet     = errors.New("empty hash set by peer")
 	errPeersUnavailable = errors.New("no peers available or all peers tried for block download process")
 	errAlreadyInPool    = errors.New("hash already in pool")
 	ErrInvalidChain     = errors.New("retrieved hash chain is invalid")
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ func (d *Downloader) fetchHashes(p *peer, h common.Hash) error {
 			// Make sure the peer actually gave something valid
 			if len(hashPack.hashes) == 0 {
 				glog.V(logger.Debug).Infof("Peer (%s) responded with empty hash set", active.id)
-				return errEmptyHashSet
+				return ErrEmptyHashSet
 			}
 			for _, hash := range hashPack.hashes {
 				if d.banned.Has(hash) {
diff --git a/eth/sync.go b/eth/sync.go
index 76e137630..56084f2f0 100644
--- a/eth/sync.go
+++ b/eth/sync.go
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ func (pm *ProtocolManager) synchronise(peer *peer) {
 	case downloader.ErrBusy:
 		glog.V(logger.Debug).Infof("Synchronisation already in progress")
 
-	case downloader.ErrTimeout, downloader.ErrBadPeer, downloader.ErrInvalidChain, downloader.ErrCrossCheckFailed:
+	case downloader.ErrTimeout, downloader.ErrBadPeer, downloader.ErrEmptyHashSet, downloader.ErrInvalidChain, downloader.ErrCrossCheckFailed:
 		glog.V(logger.Debug).Infof("Removing peer %v: %v", peer.id, err)
 		pm.removePeer(peer.id)