diff --git a/crates/interfaces/src/consensus.rs b/crates/interfaces/src/consensus.rs
index bdb1c04ea..a1412fa44 100644
--- a/crates/interfaces/src/consensus.rs
+++ b/crates/interfaces/src/consensus.rs
@@ -37,18 +37,16 @@ pub trait Consensus: Debug + Send + Sync {
     ///
     /// Note: this expects that the headers are in natural order (ascending block number)
     fn validate_header_range(&self, headers: &[SealedHeader]) -> Result<(), ConsensusError> {
-        if headers.is_empty() {
-            return Ok(())
-        }
-        let first = headers.first().expect("checked empty");
-        self.validate_header(first)?;
-        let mut parent = first;
-        for child in headers.iter().skip(1) {
+        let mut headers = headers.iter();
+        let Some(mut parent) = headers.next() else {
+            return Ok(());
+        };
+        self.validate_header(parent)?;
+        for child in headers {
             self.validate_header(child)?;
             self.validate_header_against_parent(child, parent)?;
             parent = child;
         }
-
         Ok(())
     }