diff --git a/.changelog/v2.0.3/bug-fixes/28-sigverification-ante.md b/.changelog/v2.0.3/bug-fixes/28-sigverification-ante.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca1d239
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changelog/v2.0.3/bug-fixes/28-sigverification-ante.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+- Return an error from the custom `SigVerificationDecorator` when forwarding account does not have balance to prevent a panic. ([#28](https://github.com/noble-assets/forwarding/pull/28))
diff --git a/.changelog/v2.0.3/summary.md b/.changelog/v2.0.3/summary.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ce58d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changelog/v2.0.3/summary.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+May 9, 2025
+
+This is a non-consensus breaking patch to the v9 Argentum release line.
diff --git a/ante.go b/ante.go
index 3ab3d47..8a1a75b 100644
--- a/ante.go
+++ b/ante.go
@@ -73,12 +73,16 @@ func (d SigVerificationDecorator) AnteHandle(ctx sdk.Context, tx sdk.Tx, simulat
 		}
 
 		address := types.GenerateAddress(msg.Channel, msg.Recipient, msg.Fallback)
-		balance := d.bank.GetAllBalances(ctx, address)
 
-		if balance.IsZero() || msg.Signer != address.String() {
+		if msg.Signer != address.String() {
 			return d.underlying.AnteHandle(ctx, tx, simulate, next)
 		}
 
+		balance := d.bank.GetAllBalances(ctx, address)
+		if balance.IsZero() {
+			return ctx, types.ErrInvalidAccountBalance.Wrap("account must have balance")
+		}
+
 		return next(ctx, tx, simulate)
 	}
 
diff --git a/types/errors.go b/types/errors.go
index 649bfe5..0b65f73 100644
--- a/types/errors.go
+++ b/types/errors.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ package types
 import "cosmossdk.io/errors"
 
 var (
-	ErrInvalidAuthority = errors.Register(ModuleName, 1, "signer is not authority")
-	ErrInvalidDenoms    = errors.Register(ModuleName, 2, "invalid allowed denoms")
+	ErrInvalidAuthority      = errors.Register(ModuleName, 1, "signer is not authority")
+	ErrInvalidDenoms         = errors.Register(ModuleName, 2, "invalid allowed denoms")
+	ErrInvalidAccountBalance = errors.Register(ModuleName, 3, "invalid account balance")
 )