diff --git a/src/chasers/chaser_validate.cpp b/src/chasers/chaser_validate.cpp
index 014dbe4c..f73a19be 100644
--- a/src/chasers/chaser_validate.cpp
+++ b/src/chasers/chaser_validate.cpp
@@ -282,6 +282,16 @@ code chaser_validate::validate(bool bypass, const chain::block& block,
     if (!bypass)
     {
         code ec{};
+
+        // Skips identity validation (performed in downloader).
+        // This can be performed in donwnloader as well but moving it here with
+        // more order than required allows the downloader to avoid block parse
+        // which significantly reduces memory consumption and CPU during sync.
+        // This slightly increases check() computation under full validation
+        // because a redundant malleation guard is required when downloading.
+        if (((ec = block.check(false))) || ((ec = block.check(ctx, false))))
+            return ec;
+
         if ((ec = block.accept(ctx, subsidy_interval_, initial_subsidy_)))
             return ec;
 
diff --git a/src/protocols/protocol_block_in_31800.cpp b/src/protocols/protocol_block_in_31800.cpp
index 23525148..d5afee49 100644
--- a/src/protocols/protocol_block_in_31800.cpp
+++ b/src/protocols/protocol_block_in_31800.cpp
@@ -363,19 +363,12 @@ bool protocol_block_in_31800::handle_receive_block(const code& ec,
 // error::invalid_transaction_commitment is returned. Only identity is required
 // under bypass. Header state is checked by organize. 
 code protocol_block_in_31800::check(const chain::block& block,
-    const chain::context& ctx, bool bypass) const NOEXCEPT
+    const chain::context& ctx, bool) const NOEXCEPT
 {
     code ec{};
-    if (bypass)
-    {
-        if (((ec = block.identify())) || ((ec = block.identify(ctx))))
-            return ec;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        if (((ec = block.check())) || ((ec = block.check(ctx))))
-            return ec;
-    }
+
+    if (((ec = block.identify())) || ((ec = block.identify(ctx))))
+        return ec;
 
     return error::success;
 }