diff --git a/chain/sync.go b/chain/sync.go
index 308df5ea65c..0ca0efb5ffc 100644
--- a/chain/sync.go
+++ b/chain/sync.go
@@ -1593,11 +1593,12 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) fetchMessages(ctx context.Context, headers []*types.TipSet
 	}
 	wg.Wait()
 
-	if batchErr == nil {
-		dt := build.Clock.Since(start)
-		log.Infof("fetching messages for %d tipsets at %d done; took %s", batchSize, startOffset, dt)
+	if batchErr != nil {
+		return nil, batchErr
 	}
 
+	log.Infof("fetching messages for %d tipsets at %d done; took %s", batchSize, startOffset, build.Clock.Since(start))
+
 	return batch, batchErr
 }