diff --git a/core/state_transition.go b/core/state_transition.go
index 08b7b13f2..0580195cb 100644
--- a/core/state_transition.go
+++ b/core/state_transition.go
@@ -279,8 +279,8 @@ func (st *StateTransition) TransitionDb() (ret []byte, requiredGas, usedGas *big
 		} else {
 			to = st.to().Address()
 		}
-		//if input is empty for the smart contract call, return
-		if len(data) == 0 {
+		//if input is empty for a private smart contract call, return
+		if len(data) == 0 && isPrivate{
 			return nil, new(big.Int), new(big.Int), false, nil
 		}
 		ret, st.gas, vmerr = evm.Call(sender, to, data, st.gas, st.value)