diff --git a/core/src/main/java/haveno/core/offer/OpenOfferManager.java b/core/src/main/java/haveno/core/offer/OpenOfferManager.java
index c857ce533e..a928494c1d 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/haveno/core/offer/OpenOfferManager.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/haveno/core/offer/OpenOfferManager.java
@@ -1101,17 +1101,20 @@ public class OpenOfferManager implements PeerManager.Listener, DecryptedDirectMe
                 } else {
 
                     // validate non-pending state
-                    try {
-                        validateSignedState(openOffer);
-                        resultHandler.handleResult(null); // done processing if non-pending state is valid
-                        return;
-                    } catch (Exception e) {
-                        log.warn(e.getMessage());
+                    boolean skipValidation = openOffer.isDeactivated() && hasConflictingClone(openOffer) && openOffer.getOffer().getOfferPayload().getArbitratorSignature() == null; // clone with conflicting offer is deactivated and unsigned at first
+                    if (!skipValidation) {
+                        try {
+                            validateSignedState(openOffer);
+                            resultHandler.handleResult(null); // done processing if non-pending state is valid
+                            return;
+                        } catch (Exception e) {
+                            log.warn(e.getMessage());
 
-                        // reset arbitrator signature
-                        openOffer.getOffer().getOfferPayload().setArbitratorSignature(null);
-                        openOffer.getOffer().getOfferPayload().setArbitratorSigner(null);
-                        if (openOffer.isAvailable()) openOffer.setState(OpenOffer.State.PENDING);
+                            // reset arbitrator signature
+                            openOffer.getOffer().getOfferPayload().setArbitratorSignature(null);
+                            openOffer.getOffer().getOfferPayload().setArbitratorSigner(null);
+                            if (openOffer.isAvailable()) openOffer.setState(OpenOffer.State.PENDING);
+                        }
                     }
                 }