diff --git a/eth/catalyst/api.go b/eth/catalyst/api.go
index 056c1c1abc..7ed77e828a 100644
--- a/eth/catalyst/api.go
+++ b/eth/catalyst/api.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"math/big"
+	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -681,6 +682,9 @@ func (api *ConsensusAPI) delayPayloadImport(block *types.Block) (engine.PayloadS
 		// that the parent state is missing and the syncer rejected extending the
 		// current cycle with the new payload.
 		log.Warn("Ignoring payload with missing parent", "number", block.NumberU64(), "hash", block.Hash(), "parent", block.ParentHash(), "reason", err)
+		if strings.Contains(err.Error(), "forced head needed for startup") {
+			return engine.PayloadStatusV1{Status: engine.SYNCING}, err
+		}
 	} else {
 		// In non-full sync mode (i.e. snap sync) all payloads are rejected until
 		// snap sync terminates as snap sync relies on direct database injections
diff --git a/eth/catalyst/api_test.go b/eth/catalyst/api_test.go
index cbf744cd6d..acba42f565 100644
--- a/eth/catalyst/api_test.go
+++ b/eth/catalyst/api_test.go
@@ -24,12 +24,15 @@ import (
 	"math/big"
 	"math/rand"
 	"reflect"
+	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
+	"github.com/mattn/go-colorable"
+
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/beacon/engine"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common/hexutil"
@@ -50,7 +53,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/params"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rpc"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie"
-	"github.com/mattn/go-colorable"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -717,7 +719,7 @@ func TestEmptyBlocks(t *testing.T) {
 	payload := getNewPayload(t, api, commonAncestor, nil)
 
 	status, err := api.NewPayloadV1(*payload)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err != nil && !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "forced head needed for startup") {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if status.Status != engine.VALID {
@@ -733,7 +735,7 @@ func TestEmptyBlocks(t *testing.T) {
 	payload = setBlockhash(payload)
 	// Now latestValidHash should be the common ancestor
 	status, err = api.NewPayloadV1(*payload)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err != nil && !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "forced head needed for startup") {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if status.Status != engine.INVALID {
@@ -751,7 +753,7 @@ func TestEmptyBlocks(t *testing.T) {
 	payload = setBlockhash(payload)
 	// Now latestValidHash should be the common ancestor
 	status, err = api.NewPayloadV1(*payload)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err != nil && !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "forced head needed for startup") {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if status.Status != engine.SYNCING {
@@ -863,7 +865,7 @@ func TestTrickRemoteBlockCache(t *testing.T) {
 	// feed the payloads to node B
 	for _, payload := range invalidChain {
 		status, err := apiB.NewPayloadV1(*payload)
-		if err != nil {
+		if err != nil && !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "forced head needed for startup") {
 			panic(err)
 		}
 		if status.Status == engine.VALID {