diff --git a/consensus/consensus_service.go b/consensus/consensus_service.go
index e0b1e7899..5bad092c2 100644
--- a/consensus/consensus_service.go
+++ b/consensus/consensus_service.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package consensus
 
 import (
 	"math/big"
+	"sync/atomic"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 	protobuf "github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
@@ -275,9 +276,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) checkViewID(msg *FBFTMessage) error {
 
 // SetBlockNum sets the blockNum in consensus object, called at node bootstrap
 func (consensus *Consensus) SetBlockNum(blockNum uint64) {
-	consensus.infoMutex.Lock()
-	defer consensus.infoMutex.Unlock()
-	consensus.blockNum = blockNum
+	atomic.StoreUint64(&consensus.blockNum, blockNum)
 }
 
 // ReadSignatureBitmapPayload read the payload for signature and bitmap; offset is the beginning position of reading
diff --git a/consensus/consensus_v2.go b/consensus/consensus_v2.go
index 2f2b17ed1..90a90cd1f 100644
--- a/consensus/consensus_v2.go
+++ b/consensus/consensus_v2.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package consensus
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"encoding/hex"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
 	protobuf "github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
@@ -283,7 +284,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) tryCatchup() {
 
 		// TODO(Chao): Explain the reasoning for these code
 		consensus.blockHash = [32]byte{}
-		consensus.blockNum = consensus.blockNum + 1
+		atomic.AddUint64(&consensus.blockNum, 1)
 		consensus.viewID = committedMsg.ViewID + 1
 		consensus.LeaderPubKey = committedMsg.SenderPubkey