diff --git a/core/state_transition.go b/core/state_transition.go
index f285fdb11..ff46ffcb4 100644
--- a/core/state_transition.go
+++ b/core/state_transition.go
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ func (st *StateTransition) TransitionDb() (ret []byte, usedGas uint64, failed bo
 			return nil, 0, false, vmerr
 		}
 	}
-	st.refundGas()
+	st.refundGas(vmerr)
 	st.chargeFee(st.gasUsed())
 	if vmerr == vm.ErrPoSWSenderNotAllowed {
 		return nil, st.gasUsed(), true, nil
@@ -260,13 +260,15 @@ func (st *StateTransition) TransitionDb() (ret []byte, usedGas uint64, failed bo
 	return ret, st.gasUsed(), vmerr != nil, err
 }
 
-func (st *StateTransition) refundGas() {
+func (st *StateTransition) refundGas(vmerr error) {
 	// Apply refund counter, capped to half of the used gas.
-	refund := st.gasUsed() / 2
-	if refund > st.state.GetRefund() {
-		refund = st.state.GetRefund()
+	if vmerr == nil {
+		refund := st.gasUsed() / 2
+		if refund > st.state.GetRefund() {
+			refund = st.state.GetRefund()
+		}
+		st.gas += refund
 	}
-	st.gas += refund
 
 	// Return ETH for remaining gas, exchanged at the original rate.
 	remaining := new(big.Int).Mul(new(big.Int).SetUint64(st.gas), st.gasPrice)