diff --git a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/beacon_chain.rs b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/beacon_chain.rs
index ca089789d5..eb79da1f53 100644
--- a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/beacon_chain.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/beacon_chain.rs
@@ -347,6 +347,9 @@ impl<T: BeaconChainTypes> BeaconChain<T> {
     /// state and calling `catchup_state` as it will not result in an old state being installed and
     /// then having it iteratively updated -- in such a case it's possible for another thread to
     /// find the state at an old slot.
+    ///
+    /// Also persists the `BeaconChain` to the store, in the case the client does not exit
+    /// gracefully.
     pub fn update_state(&self, mut state: BeaconState<T::EthSpec>) -> Result<(), Error> {
         let present_slot = match self.slot_clock.present_slot() {
             Ok(Some(slot)) => slot,
@@ -362,6 +365,8 @@ impl<T: BeaconChainTypes> BeaconChain<T> {
 
         *self.state.write() = state;
 
+        self.persist()?;
+
         Ok(())
     }