diff --git a/raiden/network/rpc/client.py b/raiden/network/rpc/client.py
index 6d7ce40961..6299aaf5b6 100644
--- a/raiden/network/rpc/client.py
+++ b/raiden/network/rpc/client.py
@@ -611,6 +611,10 @@ def gas_price(self) -> int:
             # we can sporadically get an AtttributeError here. If that happens
             # use latest gas price
             price = int(self.web3.eth.gasPrice)
+        except IndexError:  # work around for a web3.py exception when
+            # the blockchain is somewhat empty.
+            # https://github.com/ethereum/web3.py/issues/1149
+            price = int(self.web3.eth.gasPrice)
 
         return price