diff --git a/ledger/src/blockstore_processor.rs b/ledger/src/blockstore_processor.rs
index b29b3182b9..8ea7634776 100644
--- a/ledger/src/blockstore_processor.rs
+++ b/ledger/src/blockstore_processor.rs
@@ -323,16 +323,14 @@ pub fn process_blockstore_from_root(
         let hard_forks = bank.hard_forks();
 
         for hard_fork_slot in new_hard_forks.iter() {
-            // Ensure the user isn't trying to add new hard forks for a slot that's earlier than the current
-            // root slot.  Doing so won't cause any effect so emit an error
-            if *hard_fork_slot < start_slot {
-                error!(
-                    "Unable to add new hard fork at {}, it must be greater than slot {}",
-                    hard_fork_slot, start_slot
+            if *hard_fork_slot > start_slot {
+                hard_forks.write().unwrap().register(*hard_fork_slot);
+            } else {
+                warn!(
+                    "Hard fork at {} ignored, --hard-fork option can be removed.",
+                    hard_fork_slot
                 );
-                return Err(BlockstoreProcessorError::InvalidHardFork(*hard_fork_slot));
             }
-            hard_forks.write().unwrap().register(*hard_fork_slot);
         }
     }