diff --git a/src/validation.cpp b/src/validation.cpp
index e1cd97a38ef..e7439a2a1ae 100644
--- a/src/validation.cpp
+++ b/src/validation.cpp
@@ -4245,7 +4245,8 @@ CVerifyDB::~CVerifyDB()
 
 bool CVerifyDB::VerifyDB(const CChainParams& chainparams, CChainState& active_chainstate, CCoinsView *coinsview, int nCheckLevel, int nCheckDepth)
 {
-    LOCK(cs_main);
+    AssertLockHeld(cs_main);
+
     assert(std::addressof(::ChainstateActive()) == std::addressof(active_chainstate));
     if (active_chainstate.m_chain.Tip() == nullptr || active_chainstate.m_chain.Tip()->pprev == nullptr)
         return true;
diff --git a/src/validation.h b/src/validation.h
index ff6bac4c43c..74f8541934e 100644
--- a/src/validation.h
+++ b/src/validation.h
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ class CVerifyDB {
 public:
     CVerifyDB();
     ~CVerifyDB();
-    bool VerifyDB(const CChainParams& chainparams, CChainState& active_chainstate, CCoinsView *coinsview, int nCheckLevel, int nCheckDepth);
+    bool VerifyDB(const CChainParams& chainparams, CChainState& active_chainstate, CCoinsView *coinsview, int nCheckLevel, int nCheckDepth) EXCLUSIVE_LOCKS_REQUIRED(cs_main);
 };
 
 enum DisconnectResult