diff --git a/lib/cmds/blockchain/blockchain.js b/lib/cmds/blockchain/blockchain.js
index e83167bc..f05f08a3 100644
--- a/lib/cmds/blockchain/blockchain.js
+++ b/lib/cmds/blockchain/blockchain.js
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ Blockchain.prototype.initChainAndGetAddress = function() {
 
   // check if an account already exists, create one if not, return address
   result = this.runCommand(this.client.listAccountsCommand());
-  if (result.output === undefined || result.output === '' || result.output.indexOf("Fatal") >= 0) {
+  if (result.output === undefined || result.output.match(/{(\w+)}/) === null || result.output.indexOf("Fatal") >= 0) {
     console.log("no accounts found".green);
     if (this.config.genesisBlock) {
       console.log("initializing genesis block".green);