diff --git a/lib/cmds/blockchain/blockchain.js b/lib/cmds/blockchain/blockchain.js
index f2e9cf99..25a2b2f3 100644
--- a/lib/cmds/blockchain/blockchain.js
+++ b/lib/cmds/blockchain/blockchain.js
@@ -204,6 +204,7 @@ Blockchain.prototype.isClientInstalled = function(callback) {
 Blockchain.prototype.initChainAndGetAddress = function(callback) {
   const self = this;
   let address = null;
+  const ALREADY_INITIALIZED = 'already';
 
   // ensure datadir exists, bypassing the interactive liabilities prompt.
   self.datadir = '.embark/' + self.env + '/datadir';
@@ -219,14 +220,14 @@ Blockchain.prototype.initChainAndGetAddress = function(callback) {
       fs.copy(fs.embarkPath("js"), ".embark/" + self.env + "/js", {overwrite: true}, next);
     },
     function listAccounts(next) {
-      self.runCommand(self.client.listAccountsCommand(), {}, (err, stdout, stderr) => {
-        if (err || stderr || stdout === undefined || stdout.match(/{(\w+)}/) === null || stdout.indexOf("Fatal") >= 0) {
+      self.runCommand(self.client.listAccountsCommand(), {}, (err, stdout, _stderr) => {
+        if (err || stdout === undefined || stdout.match(/{(\w+)}/) === null || stdout.indexOf("Fatal") >= 0) {
           console.log(__("no accounts found").green);
           return next();
         }
         console.log(__("already initialized").green);
         address = stdout.match(/{(\w+)}/)[1];
-        next();
+        next(ALREADY_INITIALIZED);
       });
     },
     function genesisBlock(next) {
@@ -248,6 +249,9 @@ Blockchain.prototype.initChainAndGetAddress = function(callback) {
       });
     }
   ], (err) => {
+    if (err === ALREADY_INITIALIZED) {
+      err = null;
+    }
     callback(err, address);
   });
 };
diff --git a/lib/cmds/blockchain/geth_commands.js b/lib/cmds/blockchain/geth_commands.js
index e6ef5718..dd3291d4 100644
--- a/lib/cmds/blockchain/geth_commands.js
+++ b/lib/cmds/blockchain/geth_commands.js
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ class GethCommands {
       },
       function accountToUnlock(callback) {
         let accountAddress = "";
-        if(config.hasOwnProperty('address') && config.account.hasOwnProperty('address')) {
+        if(config.account && config.account.address) {
           accountAddress = config.account.address;
         } else {
           accountAddress = address;