diff --git a/ethereum/testutils.py b/ethereum/testutils.py
index 367517b0a..9a3dfec5e 100644
--- a/ethereum/testutils.py
+++ b/ethereum/testutils.py
@@ -139,9 +139,13 @@ def run_vm_test(params, mode, profiler=None):
         number=parse_int_or_hex(env['currentNumber']),
         coinbase=decode_hex(env['currentCoinbase']),
         difficulty=parse_int_or_hex(env['currentDifficulty']),
-        gas_limit=parse_int_or_hex(env['currentGasLimit']),
-        timestamp=parse_int_or_hex(env['currentTimestamp']))
+        timestamp=parse_int_or_hex(env['currentTimestamp']),
+        # work around https://github.com/ethereum/pyethereum/issues/390 [1]
+        gas_limit=min(2 ** 63 - 1, parse_int_or_hex(env['currentGasLimit'])))
+
     blk = blocks.Block(header, env=db_env)
+    # work around https://github.com/ethereum/pyethereum/issues/390 [2]
+    blk.gas_limit = parse_int_or_hex(env['currentGasLimit'])
 
     # setup state
     for address, h in list(pre.items()):