diff --git a/codex/slots/builder/builder.nim b/codex/slots/builder/builder.nim
index ce0de057..a6dd1c58 100644
--- a/codex/slots/builder/builder.nim
+++ b/codex/slots/builder/builder.nim
@@ -354,6 +354,14 @@ proc new*(
       error "Failed to build slot roots tree", err = err.msg
       return failure(err)
 
+    without expectedRoot =? manifest.verifyRoot.fromVerifyCid(), err:
+      error "Unable to convert manifest verifyRoot to hash", error = err.msg
+      return failure(err)
+
+    if verifyRoot =? tree.root:
+      if verifyRoot != expectedRoot:
+        return failure "Existing slots root doesn't match reconstructed root."
+
     self.slotRoots = slotRoots
     self.verifyTree = some tree
 
diff --git a/tests/codex/slots/testslotbuilder.nim b/tests/codex/slots/testslotbuilder.nim
index fcf866f3..8022e07a 100644
--- a/tests/codex/slots/testslotbuilder.nim
+++ b/tests/codex/slots/testslotbuilder.nim
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ suite "Slot builder":
         verifyManifest,
         cellSize = cellSize).isErr
 
-  test "Should not build from verifiable manifest with slots root":
+  test "Should not build from verifiable manifest with invalid verify root":
     let
       slotBuilder = SlotsBuilder.new(
         localStore,