diff --git a/src/onionrblocks/onionrblockapi.py b/src/onionrblocks/onionrblockapi.py
index b4390ca9..85f0384c 100755
--- a/src/onionrblocks/onionrblockapi.py
+++ b/src/onionrblocks/onionrblockapi.py
@@ -202,33 +202,10 @@ class Block:
         except Exception as e:
             logger.warn('Failed to parse block %s' % self.getHash(), error = e, timestamp = False)
 
-            # if block can't be parsed, it's a waste of precious space. Throw it away.
-            if not self.delete():
-                logger.warn('Failed to delete invalid block %s.' % self.getHash(), error = e)
-            else:
-                logger.debug('Deleted invalid block %s.' % self.getHash(), timestamp = False)
 
         self.valid = False
         return False
 
-    def delete(self):
-        """
-            Deletes the block's file and records, if they exist
-
-            Outputs:
-            - (bool): whether or not the operation was successful
-        """
-
-        if self.exists():
-            try:
-                os.remove(self.getBlockFile())
-            except TypeError:
-                pass
-            b_hash = self.getHash()
-            onionrstorage.deleteBlock(b_hash)
-            removeblock.remove_block(b_hash)
-            return True
-        return False
 
     def save(self, sign = False, recreate = True):
         """
diff --git a/src/onionrutils/validatemetadata.py b/src/onionrutils/validatemetadata.py
index 3b4f31cf..11970bdc 100644
--- a/src/onionrutils/validatemetadata.py
+++ b/src/onionrutils/validatemetadata.py
@@ -97,6 +97,12 @@ def validate_metadata(metadata, block_data) -> bool:
             # make sure we do not have another block with the same data content (prevent data duplication and replay attacks)
 
             # Make sure time is set (validity was checked above if it is)
+            if not config.get('general.store_plaintext_blocks', True):
+                try:
+                    if not metadata['encryptType']:
+                        raise onionrexceptions.DataExists
+                except KeyError:
+                    raise onionrexceptions.DataExists
             try:
                 metadata['time']
             except KeyError: