diff --git a/blockchain/accept.go b/blockchain/accept.go
index c228e4d7ac..115142dc47 100644
--- a/blockchain/accept.go
+++ b/blockchain/accept.go
@@ -142,15 +142,6 @@ func (b *BlockChain) maybeAcceptBlock(block *dcrutil.Block, flags BehaviorFlags)
 	// node.
 	b.pruner.pruneChainIfNeeded()
 
-	// Create a new block node for the block and add it to the block index.
-	// The block could either be on a side chain or the main chain, but it
-	// starts off as a side chain regardless.
-	blockHeader := &block.MsgBlock().Header
-	newNode := newBlockNode(blockHeader, prevNode)
-	newNode.populateTicketInfo(stake.FindSpentTicketsInBlock(block.MsgBlock()))
-	newNode.status = statusDataStored
-	b.index.AddNode(newNode)
-
 	// Insert the block into the database if it's not already there.  Even
 	// though it is possible the block will ultimately fail to connect, it
 	// has already passed all proof-of-work and validity tests which means
@@ -160,19 +151,24 @@ func (b *BlockChain) maybeAcceptBlock(block *dcrutil.Block, flags BehaviorFlags)
 	// expensive connection logic.  It also has some other nice properties
 	// such as making blocks that never become part of the main chain or
 	// blocks that fail to connect available for further analysis.
-	//
-	// Also, store the associated block index entry.
 	err = b.db.Update(func(dbTx database.Tx) error {
-		if err := dbMaybeStoreBlock(dbTx, block); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
+		return dbMaybeStoreBlock(dbTx, block)
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
 
-		if err := dbPutBlockNode(dbTx, newNode); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
+	// Create a new block node for the block and add it to the block index.
+	// The block could either be on a side chain or the main chain, but it
+	// starts off as a side chain regardless.
+	blockHeader := &block.MsgBlock().Header
+	newNode := newBlockNode(blockHeader, prevNode)
+	newNode.populateTicketInfo(stake.FindSpentTicketsInBlock(block.MsgBlock()))
+	newNode.status = statusDataStored
+	b.index.AddNode(newNode)
 
-		return nil
-	})
+	// Ensure the new block index entry is written to the database.
+	err = b.index.flush()
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
diff --git a/blockchain/blockindex.go b/blockchain/blockindex.go
index 3f2239ca51..5ecb47c087 100644
--- a/blockchain/blockindex.go
+++ b/blockchain/blockindex.go
@@ -312,8 +312,18 @@ type blockIndex struct {
 	db          database.DB
 	chainParams *chaincfg.Params
 
+	// These following fields are protected by the embedded mutex.
+	//
+	// index contains an entry for every known block tracked by the block
+	// index.
+	//
+	// modified contains an entry for all nodes that have been modified
+	// since the last time the index was flushed to disk.
+	//
+	// chainTips contains an entry with the tip of all known side chains.
 	sync.RWMutex
 	index     map[chainhash.Hash]*blockNode
+	modified  map[*blockNode]struct{}
 	chainTips map[int64][]*blockNode
 }
 
@@ -325,6 +335,7 @@ func newBlockIndex(db database.DB, chainParams *chaincfg.Params) *blockIndex {
 		db:          db,
 		chainParams: chainParams,
 		index:       make(map[chainhash.Hash]*blockNode),
+		modified:    make(map[*blockNode]struct{}),
 		chainTips:   make(map[int64][]*blockNode),
 	}
 }
@@ -357,13 +368,14 @@ func (bi *blockIndex) addNode(node *blockNode) {
 	}
 }
 
-// AddNode adds the provided node to the block index.  Duplicate entries are not
-// checked so it is up to caller to avoid adding them.
+// AddNode adds the provided node to the block index and marks it as modified.
+// Duplicate entries are not checked so it is up to caller to avoid adding them.
 //
 // This function is safe for concurrent access.
 func (bi *blockIndex) AddNode(node *blockNode) {
 	bi.Lock()
 	bi.addNode(node)
+	bi.modified[node] = struct{}{}
 	bi.Unlock()
 }
 
@@ -433,6 +445,7 @@ func (bi *blockIndex) NodeStatus(node *blockNode) blockStatus {
 func (bi *blockIndex) SetStatusFlags(node *blockNode, flags blockStatus) {
 	bi.Lock()
 	node.status |= flags
+	bi.modified[node] = struct{}{}
 	bi.Unlock()
 }
 
@@ -443,5 +456,37 @@ func (bi *blockIndex) SetStatusFlags(node *blockNode, flags blockStatus) {
 func (bi *blockIndex) UnsetStatusFlags(node *blockNode, flags blockStatus) {
 	bi.Lock()
 	node.status &^= flags
+	bi.modified[node] = struct{}{}
+	bi.Unlock()
+}
+
+// flush writes all of the modified block nodes to the database and clears the
+// set of modified nodes if it succeeds.
+func (bi *blockIndex) flush() error {
+	// Nothing to flush if there are no modified nodes.
+	bi.Lock()
+	if len(bi.modified) == 0 {
+		bi.Unlock()
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Write all of the nodes in the set of modified nodes to the database.
+	err := bi.db.Update(func(dbTx database.Tx) error {
+		for node := range bi.modified {
+			err := dbPutBlockNode(dbTx, node)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		bi.Unlock()
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Clear the set of modified nodes.
+	bi.modified = make(map[*blockNode]struct{})
 	bi.Unlock()
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/blockchain/chain.go b/blockchain/chain.go
index 851ce42b29..e45dbf70b4 100644
--- a/blockchain/chain.go
+++ b/blockchain/chain.go
@@ -643,6 +643,9 @@ func (b *BlockChain) isMajorityVersion(minVer int32, startNode *blockNode, numRe
 // passed node is not on a side chain or if the reorganize would involve
 // reorganizing to a known invalid chain.
 //
+// This function may modify the validation state of nodes in the block index
+// without flushing.
+//
 // This function MUST be called with the chain state lock held (for reads).
 func (b *BlockChain) getReorganizeNodes(node *blockNode) (*list.List, *list.List) {
 	// Nothing to detach or attach if there is no node.
@@ -738,6 +741,12 @@ func (b *BlockChain) connectBlock(node *blockNode, block, parent *dcrutil.Block,
 			countSpentOutputs(block, parent))
 	}
 
+	// Write any modified block index entries to the database before
+	// updating the best state.
+	if err := b.index.flush(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// Generate a new best state snapshot that will be used to update the
 	// database and later memory if all database updates are successful.
 	b.stateLock.RLock()
@@ -773,16 +782,6 @@ func (b *BlockChain) connectBlock(node *blockNode, block, parent *dcrutil.Block,
 			return err
 		}
 
-		// Add the block to the block index.  Ultimately the block index
-		// should track modified nodes and persist all of them prior
-		// this point as opposed to unconditionally peristing the node
-		// again.  However, this is needed for now in lieu of that to
-		// ensure the updated status is written to the database.
-		err = dbPutBlockNode(dbTx, node)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
 		// Update the utxo set using the state of the utxo view.  This
 		// entails removing all of the utxos spent and adding the new
 		// ones created by the block.
@@ -912,6 +911,12 @@ func (b *BlockChain) disconnectBlock(node *blockNode, block, parent *dcrutil.Blo
 			tip.height)
 	}
 
+	// Write any modified block index entries to the database before
+	// updating the best state.
+	if err := b.index.flush(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// Generate a new best state snapshot that will be used to update the
 	// database and later memory if all database updates are successful.
 	b.stateLock.RLock()
@@ -1062,6 +1067,10 @@ func countNumberOfTransactions(block, parent *dcrutil.Block) uint64 {
 // the chain) and nodes the are being attached must be in forwards order
 // (think pushing them onto the end of the chain).
 //
+// This function may modify the validation state of nodes in the block index
+// without flushing in the case the chain is not able to reorganize due to a
+// block failing to connect.
+//
 // This function MUST be called with the chain state lock held (for writes).
 func (b *BlockChain) reorganizeChain(detachNodes, attachNodes *list.List) error {
 	// Nothing to do if no reorganize nodes were provided.
@@ -1371,6 +1380,9 @@ func (b *BlockChain) reorganizeChain(detachNodes, attachNodes *list.List) error
 // block hash requested, so long as it matches up with the current organization
 // of the best chain.
 //
+// This function may modify the validation state of nodes in the block index
+// without flushing.
+//
 // This function MUST be called with the chain state lock held (for writes).
 func (b *BlockChain) forceHeadReorganization(formerBest chainhash.Hash, newBest chainhash.Hash) error {
 	if formerBest.IsEqual(&newBest) {
@@ -1464,15 +1476,35 @@ func (b *BlockChain) forceHeadReorganization(formerBest chainhash.Hash, newBest
 		b.index.SetStatusFlags(newBestNode, statusValid)
 	}
 
+	// Reorganize the chain and flush any potential unsaved changes to the
+	// block index to the database.  It is safe to ignore any flushing
+	// errors here as the only time the index will be modified is if the
+	// block failed to connect.
 	attach, detach := b.getReorganizeNodes(newBestNode)
-	return b.reorganizeChain(attach, detach)
+	err := b.reorganizeChain(attach, detach)
+	b.flushBlockIndexWarnOnly()
+	return err
 }
 
 // ForceHeadReorganization is the exported version of forceHeadReorganization.
 func (b *BlockChain) ForceHeadReorganization(formerBest chainhash.Hash, newBest chainhash.Hash) error {
 	b.chainLock.Lock()
-	defer b.chainLock.Unlock()
-	return b.forceHeadReorganization(formerBest, newBest)
+	err := b.forceHeadReorganization(formerBest, newBest)
+	b.chainLock.Unlock()
+	return err
+}
+
+// flushBlockIndexWarnOnly attempts to flush and modified block index nodes to
+// the database and will log a warning if it fails.
+//
+// NOTE: This MUST only be used in the specific circumstances where failure to
+// flush only results in a worst case scenario of requiring one or more blocks
+// to be validated again.  All other cases must directly call the function on
+// the block index and check the error return accordingly.
+func (b *BlockChain) flushBlockIndexWarnOnly() {
+	if err := b.index.flush(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("Unable to flush block index changes to db: %v", err)
+	}
 }
 
 // connectBestChain handles connecting the passed block to the chain while
@@ -1518,17 +1550,24 @@ func (b *BlockChain) connectBestChain(node *blockNode, block, parent *dcrutil.Bl
 		view.SetStakeViewpoint(ViewpointPrevValidInitial)
 		var stxos []spentTxOut
 		if !fastAdd {
-			// Validate the block and set the applicable status
-			// result in the block index.
+			// Validate the block, set the applicable status result
+			// in the block index, and flush the status changes to
+			// the database.  It is safe to ignore any errors when
+			// flushing here as the changes will be flushed when a
+			// valid block is connected, and the worst case scenario
+			// if a block a invalid is it would need to be
+			// revalidated after a restart.
 			err := b.checkConnectBlock(node, block, parent, view,
 				&stxos)
 			if err != nil {
 				if _, ok := err.(RuleError); ok {
 					b.index.SetStatusFlags(node, statusValidateFailed)
+					b.flushBlockIndexWarnOnly()
 				}
 				return 0, err
 			}
 			b.index.SetStatusFlags(node, statusValid)
+			b.flushBlockIndexWarnOnly()
 		}
 
 		// In the fast add case the code to check the block connection
@@ -1598,9 +1637,13 @@ func (b *BlockChain) connectBestChain(node *blockNode, block, parent *dcrutil.Bl
 	// common ancenstor (the point where the chain forked).
 	detachNodes, attachNodes := b.getReorganizeNodes(node)
 
-	// Reorganize the chain.
+	// Reorganize the chain and flush any potential unsaved changes to the
+	// block index to the database.  It is safe to ignore any flushing
+	// errors here as the only time the index will be modified is if the
+	// block failed to connect.
 	log.Infof("REORGANIZE: Block %v is causing a reorganize.", node.hash)
 	err := b.reorganizeChain(detachNodes, attachNodes)
+	b.flushBlockIndexWarnOnly()
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
diff --git a/blockchain/stakenode.go b/blockchain/stakenode.go
index 6640d248a0..a30c73b33a 100644
--- a/blockchain/stakenode.go
+++ b/blockchain/stakenode.go
@@ -108,6 +108,12 @@ func (b *BlockChain) fetchStakeNode(node *blockNode) (*stake.Node, error) {
 	detachNodes, attachNodes := b.getReorganizeNodes(node)
 	current := b.bestChain.Tip()
 
+	// Flush any potential unsaved changes to the block index due to the
+	// call to get the reorganize nodes.  Since the best state is not being
+	// being modified, it is safe to ignore any errors here as the changes
+	// will be flushed at that point and those errors are not ignored.
+	b.flushBlockIndexWarnOnly()
+
 	// Move backwards through the main chain, undoing the ticket
 	// treaps for each block.  The database is passed because the
 	// undo data and new tickets data for each block may not yet
diff --git a/blockchain/validate.go b/blockchain/validate.go
index 7836686ed0..61472ad103 100644
--- a/blockchain/validate.go
+++ b/blockchain/validate.go
@@ -2615,6 +2615,12 @@ func (b *BlockChain) CheckConnectBlockTemplate(block *dcrutil.Block) error {
 	// just before the requested node.
 	detachNodes, attachNodes := b.getReorganizeNodes(prevNode)
 
+	// Flush any potential unsaved changes to the block index due to the
+	// call to get the reorganize nodes.  Since the best state is not being
+	// modified, it is safe to ignore any errors here as the changes will be
+	// flushed at that point and those errors are not ignored.
+	b.flushBlockIndexWarnOnly()
+
 	view := NewUtxoViewpoint()
 	view.SetBestHash(&tip.hash)
 	view.SetStakeViewpoint(ViewpointPrevValidInitial)