diff --git a/testground/benchmark/benchmark/peer.py b/testground/benchmark/benchmark/peer.py
index deeb860ffe..a43a082bad 100644
--- a/testground/benchmark/benchmark/peer.py
+++ b/testground/benchmark/benchmark/peer.py
@@ -86,6 +86,11 @@ def gen_genesis(
 ):
     accounts = list(itertools.chain(*(peer.accounts for peer in peers)))
     print("adding genesis accounts", len(accounts))
+
+    # skip the validator account of the first node, because we use that node's home,
+    # and it's already added
+    accounts = accounts[1:]
+
     with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile() as fp:
         fp.write(json.dumps(accounts, default=pydantic_encoder).encode())
         fp.flush()
diff --git a/testground/benchmark/benchmark/stateless.py b/testground/benchmark/benchmark/stateless.py
index 4e66159890..2c2fdd580e 100644
--- a/testground/benchmark/benchmark/stateless.py
+++ b/testground/benchmark/benchmark/stateless.py
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ def _gen(
 
     print("prepare genesis")
     # use a full node directory to prepare the genesis file
-    genesis = gen_genesis(cli, outdir / FULLNODE_GROUP / "0", peers, genesis_patch)
+    genesis = gen_genesis(cli, outdir / VALIDATOR_GROUP / "0", peers, genesis_patch)
 
     print("patch genesis")
     # write genesis file and patch config files