diff --git a/block/internal/common/replay.go b/block/internal/common/replay.go
index 9c95bc3f3..b96567ef7 100644
--- a/block/internal/common/replay.go
+++ b/block/internal/common/replay.go
@@ -67,15 +67,11 @@ func (s *Replayer) SyncToHeight(ctx context.Context, targetHeight uint64) error
 		Uint64("exec_layer_height", execHeight).
 		Msg("execution layer height check")
 
-	// If execution layer is ahead, skip syncing and continue. This can happen if execution
-	// progressed independently (e.g. after manual intervention). We log it for visibility but
-	// do not treat it as fatal.
+	// If execution layer is ahead, we cannot proceed safely as this indicates state divergence.
+	// The execution layer must be rolled back before the node can continue.
 	if execHeight > targetHeight {
-		s.logger.Warn().
-			Uint64("target_height", targetHeight).
-			Uint64("exec_layer_height", execHeight).
-			Msg("execution layer is ahead of target height - skipping replay")
-		return nil
+		return fmt.Errorf("execution layer height (%d) ahead of target height (%d): manually rollback execution layer to height %d",
+			execHeight, targetHeight, targetHeight)
 	}
 
 	// If execution layer is behind, sync the missing blocks
diff --git a/block/internal/common/replay_test.go b/block/internal/common/replay_test.go
index 6bc344d94..188e819d0 100644
--- a/block/internal/common/replay_test.go
+++ b/block/internal/common/replay_test.go
@@ -135,15 +135,16 @@ func TestReplayer_SyncToHeight_ExecutorAhead(t *testing.T) {
 
 	syncer := NewReplayer(mockStore, mockExec, gen, logger)
 
-	// Setup: target height is 100, execution layer is at 101 (unexpected!)
+	// Setup: execution layer is ahead of target (indicates state divergence)
 	targetHeight := uint64(100)
 	execHeight := uint64(101)
 
 	mockExec.On("GetLatestHeight", mock.Anything).Return(execHeight, nil)
 
-	// Execute sync - should just log and continue without error
+	// Should return error to prevent proceeding with divergent state
 	err := syncer.SyncToHeight(ctx, targetHeight)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	require.Contains(t, err.Error(), "ahead of target height")
 
 	// No replay should be attempted
 	mockExec.AssertNotCalled(t, "ExecuteTxs", mock.Anything, mock.Anything, mock.Anything, mock.Anything, mock.Anything)