diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index e0997515b7..87750f9ea3 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -4478,8 +4478,12 @@ bool static ProcessMessage(CNode* pfrom, string strCommand, CDataStream& vRecv,
         pfrom->AddInventoryKnown(inv);
 
         CValidationState state;
-        // Process all blocks from whitelisted peers, even if not requested.
-        ProcessNewBlock(state, pfrom, &block, pfrom->fWhitelisted, NULL);
+        // Process all blocks from whitelisted peers, even if not requested,
+        // unless we're still syncing with the network.
+        // Such an unrequested block may still be processed, subject to the
+        // conditions in AcceptBlock().
+        bool forceProcessing = pfrom->fWhitelisted && !IsInitialBlockDownload();
+        ProcessNewBlock(state, pfrom, &block, forceProcessing, NULL);
         int nDoS;
         if (state.IsInvalid(nDoS)) {
             pfrom->PushMessage("reject", strCommand, state.GetRejectCode(),