diff --git a/src/lean_spec/spec/forks/lstar/validator_duties.py b/src/lean_spec/spec/forks/lstar/validator_duties.py
index 7bd35d043..aef2e67e2 100644
--- a/src/lean_spec/spec/forks/lstar/validator_duties.py
+++ b/src/lean_spec/spec/forks/lstar/validator_duties.py
@@ -93,8 +93,13 @@ def produce_attestation_data(self, store: LstarStore, slot: Slot) -> Attestation
         if justified_source.root == Bytes32.zero():
             justified_source = Checkpoint(root=store.head, slot=justified_source.slot)
 
-        # Sanity check: the source must be older or equal to the target.
-        assert justified_source.slot <= target_checkpoint.slot
+        # The target walk is bounded by the safe target and the finalized checkpoint, not by
+        # the justified one. On a sparse chain the justifiability walk can therefore land
+        # behind the head's justified checkpoint, and a vote with its source after its target
+        # is one no peer admits. Vote for the justified checkpoint itself in that case: it is
+        # on the head chain, it is justifiable, and the vote keeps its weight in fork choice.
+        if justified_source.slot > target_checkpoint.slot:
+            target_checkpoint = justified_source
 
         return self.attestation_data_class(
             slot=slot,
diff --git a/tests/spec/forks/lstar/test_validator_duties.py b/tests/spec/forks/lstar/test_validator_duties.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a095e48e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/spec/forks/lstar/test_validator_duties.py
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+"""Tests for the attestation duty in `validator_duties.py`."""
+
+from ssz import hash_tree_root
+
+from lean_spec.spec.forks import Slot
+from lean_spec.spec.forks.lstar import Store
+from lean_spec.spec.forks.lstar.containers import Block, Checkpoint
+from lean_spec.spec.forks.lstar.spec import LstarSpec
+from lean_spec.spec.ssz_types import Bytes32
+
+
+def _extend(store: Store, slots: list[int]) -> tuple[Store, dict[int, Bytes32]]:
+    """
+    Append one block per slot on top of the store's head, in order, without state transitions.
+
+    The blocks carry the genesis body and state root: the target walk only reads slots and
+    parent links, so that is all the test needs. Returns the store and the root of each slot.
+    """
+    blocks = dict(store.blocks)
+    parent_root = store.head
+    parent = blocks[parent_root]
+    roots: dict[int, Bytes32] = {}
+    for slot in slots:
+        block = Block(
+            slot=Slot(slot),
+            proposer_index=parent.proposer_index,
+            parent_root=parent_root,
+            state_root=parent.state_root,
+            body=parent.body,
+        )
+        parent_root = hash_tree_root(block)
+        blocks[parent_root] = block
+        parent = block
+        roots[slot] = parent_root
+    return store.model_copy(update={"blocks": blocks, "head": parent_root}), roots
+
+
+def test_target_is_raised_to_the_source_when_the_walk_lands_behind_it(
+    base_store: Store, spec: LstarSpec
+) -> None:
+    """
+    The attestation target never falls behind the head chain's justified checkpoint.
+
+    The head chain is 62 -> 59 -> 51 -> 50 -> 49 -> 45 -> 42 (a shape seen on a three-node
+    devnet), finalized at 42 with the head's justified at 49. The lookback walk from 62
+    takes three steps to 50. Neither 50 nor 49 is justifiable after 42 (deltas 8 and 7),
+    so the justifiability walk continues to 45: behind the source at 49. The duty then votes
+    for the justified checkpoint itself instead of producing a vote no peer would admit.
+    """
+    store, roots = _extend(base_store, [42, 45, 49, 50, 51, 59, 62])
+    finalized = Checkpoint(root=roots[42], slot=Slot(42))
+    justified = Checkpoint(root=roots[49], slot=Slot(49))
+    head_state = store.states[base_store.head].model_copy(
+        update={"latest_justified": justified, "latest_finalized": finalized}
+    )
+    store = store.model_copy(
+        update={
+            "states": {**store.states, store.head: head_state},
+            "safe_target": roots[42],
+            "latest_justified": justified,
+            "latest_finalized": finalized,
+        }
+    )
+
+    # The walk itself still selects 45: that part of the spec is unchanged.
+    assert spec.get_attestation_target(store) == Checkpoint(root=roots[45], slot=Slot(45))
+
+    data = spec.produce_attestation_data(store, Slot(63))
+
+    assert data.source == justified
+    assert data.target == justified
+    assert data.head == Checkpoint(root=roots[62], slot=Slot(62))
+
+
+def test_target_is_kept_when_the_walk_stays_at_or_after_the_source(
+    base_store: Store, spec: LstarSpec
+) -> None:
+    """
+    A target at or after the source is left exactly as the walk selected it.
+
+    Same chain, but the head's justified checkpoint sits at 45: the walk's own answer.
+    """
+    store, roots = _extend(base_store, [42, 45, 49, 50, 51, 59, 62])
+    finalized = Checkpoint(root=roots[42], slot=Slot(42))
+    justified = Checkpoint(root=roots[45], slot=Slot(45))
+    head_state = store.states[base_store.head].model_copy(
+        update={"latest_justified": justified, "latest_finalized": finalized}
+    )
+    store = store.model_copy(
+        update={
+            "states": {**store.states, store.head: head_state},
+            "safe_target": roots[42],
+            "latest_justified": justified,
+            "latest_finalized": finalized,
+        }
+    )
+
+    data = spec.produce_attestation_data(store, Slot(63))
+
+    assert data.source == justified
+    assert data.target == Checkpoint(root=roots[45], slot=Slot(45))