diff --git a/gui/qt/main_window.py b/gui/qt/main_window.py
index 1740cfaf..fe099fe1 100644
--- a/gui/qt/main_window.py
+++ b/gui/qt/main_window.py
@@ -277,6 +277,7 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, PrintError):
         elif event == 'fee':
             if self.config.is_dynfee():
                 self.fee_slider.update()
+                self.do_update_fee()
         else:
             self.print_error("unexpected network_qt signal:", event, args)
 
@@ -1114,6 +1115,9 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, PrintError):
         '''Recalculate the fee.  If the fee was manually input, retain it, but
         still build the TX to see if there are enough funds.
         '''
+        if self.config.is_dynfee() and not self.config.has_fee_estimates():
+            self.statusBar().showMessage(_('Waiting for fee estimates...'))
+            return False
         freeze_fee = (self.fee_e.isModified()
                       and (self.fee_e.text() or self.fee_e.hasFocus()))
         amount = '!' if self.is_max else self.amount_e.get_amount()
diff --git a/lib/simple_config.py b/lib/simple_config.py
index 99a6f616..4c7f201c 100644
--- a/lib/simple_config.py
+++ b/lib/simple_config.py
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ class SimpleConfig(PrintError):
         return len(self.fee_estimates)==4
 
     def is_dynfee(self):
-        return self.get('dynamic_fees') and self.has_fee_estimates()
+        return self.get('dynamic_fees')
 
     def fee_per_kb(self):
         dyn = self.is_dynfee()