diff --git a/consensus/clique/clique.go b/consensus/clique/clique.go
index 8619bd1d8e..675333bcc4 100644
--- a/consensus/clique/clique.go
+++ b/consensus/clique/clique.go
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ func (c *Clique) Seal(chain consensus.ChainReader, block *types.Block, stop <-ch
 	for seen, recent := range snap.Recents {
 		if recent == signer {
 			// Signer is among recents, only wait if the current block doens't shift it out
-			if limit := uint64(len(snap.Signers)/2 + 1); seen > number-limit {
+			if limit := uint64(len(snap.Signers)/2 + 1); number < limit || seen > number-limit {
 				log.Info("Signed recently, must wait for others")
 				<-stop
 				return nil, nil