diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 9016fe42a..c5c5e40ee 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -4303,10 +4303,10 @@ bool static ProcessMessage(CNode* pfrom, string strCommand, CDataStream& vRecv,
         vRecv >> locator >> hashStop;
 
         LOCK(cs_main);
-
-        if (IsInitialBlockDownload())
+        if (IsInitialBlockDownload() && !pfrom->fWhitelisted) {
+            LogPrint("net", "Ignoring getheaders from peer=%d because node is in initial block download\n", pfrom->id);
             return true;
-
+        }
         CBlockIndex* pindex = NULL;
         if (locator.IsNull())
         {