diff --git a/client/api/src/in_mem.rs b/client/api/src/in_mem.rs
index 45c41fbcb7b20..1de2747eb4c76 100644
--- a/client/api/src/in_mem.rs
+++ b/client/api/src/in_mem.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 //! In memory client backend
 
 use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::ptr;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use parking_lot::RwLock;
 use sp_core::{
@@ -191,11 +192,19 @@ impl<Block: BlockT> Blockchain<Block> {
 
 	/// Compare this blockchain with another in-mem blockchain
 	pub fn equals_to(&self, other: &Self) -> bool {
+		// Check ptr equality first to avoid double read locks.
+		if ptr::eq(self, other) {
+			return true;
+		}
 		self.canon_equals_to(other) && self.storage.read().blocks == other.storage.read().blocks
 	}
 
 	/// Compare canonical chain to other canonical chain.
 	pub fn canon_equals_to(&self, other: &Self) -> bool {
+		// Check ptr equality first to avoid double read locks.
+		if ptr::eq(self, other) {
+			return true;
+		}
 		let this = self.storage.read();
 		let other = other.storage.read();
 			this.hashes == other.hashes