diff --git a/src/net.cpp b/src/net.cpp
--- a/src/net.cpp
+++ b/src/net.cpp
@@ -2437,7 +2437,8 @@
         int64_t nANow = GetAdjustedTime();
         int nTries = 0;
         const bool fBypassNetGroupLimit =
-            gArgs.GetBoolArg("-bypassnetgrouplimit", false);
+            gArgs.GetBoolArg("-bypassnetgrouplimit",
+                             conn_type == ConnectionType::AVALANCHE_OUTBOUND);
         while (!interruptNet) {
             if (anchor && !m_anchors.empty()) {
                 const CAddress addr = m_anchors.back();