diff --git a/rpc/args.go b/rpc/args.go
index cebabf4ba..5b1c271cc 100644
--- a/rpc/args.go
+++ b/rpc/args.go
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ func blockHeight(raw interface{}, number *int64) error {
 	}
 
 	switch str {
+	case "earliest":
+		*number = 0
 	case "latest":
 		*number = -1
 	case "pending":