diff --git a/src/net_processing.cpp b/src/net_processing.cpp
index 9f3aa5b4a3e..e2050307490 100644
--- a/src/net_processing.cpp
+++ b/src/net_processing.cpp
@@ -3207,6 +3207,11 @@ void PeerManagerImpl::ProcessMessage(CNode& pfrom, const std::string& msg_type,
             return;
         }
 
+        // Stop processing the transaction early if we are still in IBD since we don't
+        // have enough information to validate it yet. Sending unsolicited transactions
+        // is not considered a protocol violation, so don't punish the peer.
+        if (m_chainman.ActiveChainstate().IsInitialBlockDownload()) return;
+
         CTransactionRef ptx;
         vRecv >> ptx;
         const CTransaction& tx = *ptx;