diff --git a/beacon_node/store/src/hot_cold_store.rs b/beacon_node/store/src/hot_cold_store.rs
index a0a75dbb0d..c27bf195d5 100644
--- a/beacon_node/store/src/hot_cold_store.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/store/src/hot_cold_store.rs
@@ -1308,8 +1308,13 @@ impl<E: EthSpec, Hot: ItemStore<E>, Cold: ItemStore<E>> HotColdDB<E, Hot, Cold>
                         state_root.as_slice().to_vec(),
                     ));
 
-                    if let Some(slot) = slot {
-                        match self.hot_storage_strategy(slot)? {
+                    // NOTE: `hot_storage_strategy` can error if there are states in the database
+                    // prior to the `anchor_slot`. This can happen if checkpoint sync has been
+                    // botched and left some states in the database prior to completing.
+                    if let Some(slot) = slot
+                        && let Ok(strategy) = self.hot_storage_strategy(slot)
+                    {
+                        match strategy {
                             StorageStrategy::Snapshot => {
                                 // Full state stored in this position
                                 key_value_batch.push(KeyValueStoreOp::DeleteKey(