diff --git a/lib/torrent.js b/lib/torrent.js
index 6b58f776..cceb8ba5 100644
--- a/lib/torrent.js
+++ b/lib/torrent.js
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ function Torrent (torrentId, opts) {
   self.numBlockedPeers = 0
   self.files = null
   self.done = false
+  self.verifyingPieces = false
 
   self._amInterested = false
   self._selections = []
@@ -358,11 +359,10 @@ Torrent.prototype._onMetadata = function (metadata) {
     self._onWireWithMetadata(wire)
   })
 
-  debug('verifying existing torrent data')
-  parallel(self.pieces.map(function (piece, index) {
-    return function (cb) {
-      self.store.get(index, function (err, buf) {
-        if (err) return cb(null) // ignore error
+  // Verify pieces
+  var verifyPiece = function (index) {
+    self.store.get(index, function (err, buf) {
+      if (!err) {
         sha1(buf, function (hash) {
           if (hash === self._hashes[index]) {
             if (!self.pieces[index]) return
@@ -373,17 +373,23 @@ Torrent.prototype._onMetadata = function (metadata) {
           } else {
             debug('piece invalid %s', index)
           }
-          cb(null)
         })
-      })
-    }
-  }), function (err) {
-    if (err) return self._onError(err)
-    debug('done verifying')
-    self._onStore()
-  })
+      }
+      // Verify next piece?
+      if (index + 1 < self.pieces.length) {
+        setImmediate(function () { verifyPiece(index + 1) })
+      } else {
+        self.verifyingPieces = false
+        debug('done verifying')
+      }
+    })
+  }
+  debug('verifying existing torrent data')
+  self.verifyingPieces = true
+  verifyPiece(0)
 
   self.emit('metadata')
+  self._onStore()
 }
 
 /**