diff --git a/consensus/wal.go b/consensus/wal.go
index 9cdb3c3f0..f393955dc 100644
--- a/consensus/wal.go
+++ b/consensus/wal.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	// must be greater than types.BlockPartSizeBytes + a few bytes
-	maxMsgSizeBytes = types.BlockPartSizeBytes * 2
+	// amino overhead + time.Time + max consensus msg size
+	maxMsgSizeBytes = maxMsgSize + 24
 
 	// how often the WAL should be sync'd during period sync'ing
 	walDefaultFlushInterval = 2 * time.Second