diff --git a/src/validation.cpp b/src/validation.cpp
--- a/src/validation.cpp
+++ b/src/validation.cpp
@@ -1636,6 +1636,8 @@
         pindex->pprev == nullptr ? BlockHash() : pindex->pprev->GetBlockHash();
     assert(hashPrevBlock == view.GetBestBlock());
 
+    nBlocksTotal++;
+
     // Special case for the genesis block, skipping connection of its
     // transactions (its coinbase is unspendable)
     if (block.GetHash() == consensusParams.hashGenesisBlock) {
@@ -1646,8 +1648,6 @@
         return true;
     }
 
-    nBlocksTotal++;
-
     bool fScriptChecks = true;
     if (!hashAssumeValid.IsNull()) {
         // We've been configured with the hash of a block which has been
@@ -2563,6 +2563,7 @@
 
         nTime3 = GetTimeMicros();
         nTimeConnectTotal += nTime3 - nTime2;
+        assert(nBlocksTotal > 0);
         LogPrint(BCLog::BENCH,
                  "  - Connect total: %.2fms [%.2fs (%.2fms/blk)]\n",
                  (nTime3 - nTime2) * MILLI, nTimeConnectTotal * MICRO,