diff --git a/changelog/samcm_fix-genesis-validation.md b/changelog/samcm_fix-genesis-validation.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..5ba13d94eeb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog/samcm_fix-genesis-validation.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+### Fixed
+
+- Fixed genesis file validation by checking BeaconConfig genesis validators root to ensure correct genesis state is loaded.
diff --git a/genesis/initialize.go b/genesis/initialize.go
index e5690387dea8..af83d4b7fabd 100644
--- a/genesis/initialize.go
+++ b/genesis/initialize.go
@@ -78,7 +78,9 @@ func findGenesisFile(dir string) (GenesisData, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			continue
 		}
-		return gd, nil
+		if gd.ValidatorsRoot == params.BeaconConfig().GenesisValidatorsRoot {
+			return gd, nil
+		}
 	}
 	return GenesisData{}, ErrGenesisFileNotFound
 }