diff --git a/eth/catalyst/api.go b/eth/catalyst/api.go
index 5c5f820a28d3..5a855859742c 100644
--- a/eth/catalyst/api.go
+++ b/eth/catalyst/api.go
@@ -138,6 +138,9 @@ func NewConsensusAPI(eth *eth.Ethereum) *ConsensusAPI {
 		invalidTipsets:    make(map[common.Hash]*types.Header),
 	}
 	eth.Downloader().SetBadBlockCallback(api.setInvalidAncestor)
+	if api.eth.BlockChain().Config().Optimism != nil { // don't start the api heartbeat, there is no transition
+		return api
+	}
 	go api.heartbeat()
 
 	return api