--- a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py
+++ b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
         if self._task is not None:
             return
         self._logger.info("Starting PoA proposer loop", extra={"interval": self._config.interval_seconds})
-        self._ensure_genesis_block()
+        await self._ensure_genesis_block()
         self._stop_event.clear()
         self._task = asyncio.create_task(self._run_loop())