diff --git a/test/unittests/state_transition_block_test.cpp b/test/unittests/state_transition_block_test.cpp
index 33d5194885..fae53d471e 100644
--- a/test/unittests/state_transition_block_test.cpp
+++ b/test/unittests/state_transition_block_test.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ TEST_F(state_transition, block_apply_withdrawal)
 
     block.withdrawals = {{0, 0, withdrawal_address, 3}};
     tx.to = To;
+    pre[To].nonce = 1;  // FIXME: tx to empty account should delete it
+    expect.post[To].nonce = 1;
     expect.post[withdrawal_address].balance = intx::uint256{3} * 1'000'000'000;
 }
 
@@ -54,6 +56,8 @@ TEST_F(state_transition, block_apply_ommers_reward)
     block_reward = 5'000'000'000'000'000'000;
     block.ommers = {o1, o2};
     tx.to = To;
+    pre[To].nonce = 1;  // FIXME: tx to empty account should delete it
+    expect.post[To].nonce = 1;
     expect.post[o1.beneficiary].balance = intx::uint256{block_reward} * (8 - o1.delta) / 8;
     expect.post[o2.beneficiary].balance = intx::uint256{block_reward} * (8 - o2.delta) / 8;