diff --git a/src/validation.h b/src/validation.h
--- a/src/validation.h
+++ b/src/validation.h
@@ -195,6 +195,11 @@
 static const int DEFAULT_STOPATHEIGHT = 0;
 /** Default for -maxreorgdepth */
 static const int DEFAULT_MAX_REORG_DEPTH = 10;
+/**
+ * Default for -finalizationdelay in seconds.
+ * This is the delay after IBD completes before we will start finalizing blocks.
+ */
+static const int DEFAULT_FINALIZATION_DELAY = 2 * 60 * 60;
 
 extern CScript COINBASE_FLAGS;
 extern CCriticalSection cs_main;
diff --git a/src/validation.cpp b/src/validation.cpp
--- a/src/validation.cpp
+++ b/src/validation.cpp
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@
 size_t nCoinCacheUsage = 5000 * 300;
 uint64_t nPruneTarget = 0;
 int64_t nMaxTipAge = DEFAULT_MAX_TIP_AGE;
+time_t g_IBDCompletionTime = 0;
 
 uint256 hashAssumeValid;
 arith_uint256 nMinimumChainWork;
@@ -935,6 +936,9 @@
     if (chainActive.Tip()->GetBlockTime() < (GetTime() - nMaxTipAge)) {
         return true;
     }
+
+    g_IBDCompletionTime = GetTime();
+
     LogPrintf("Leaving InitialBlockDownload (latching to false)\n");
     latchToFalse.store(true, std::memory_order_relaxed);
     return false;
@@ -2369,6 +2373,10 @@
                          FormatStateMessage(state));
         }
 
+        // Update the finalized block.
+        time_t finalizationDelay =
+            gArgs.GetArg("-finalizationdelay", DEFAULT_FINALIZATION_DELAY);
+
         // Update the finalized block.
         int32_t nHeightToFinalize =
             pindexNew->nHeight -
@@ -2376,6 +2384,7 @@
         CBlockIndex *pindexToFinalize =
             pindexNew->GetAncestor(nHeightToFinalize);
         if (pindexToFinalize &&
+            g_IBDCompletionTime + finalizationDelay >= GetTime() &&
             !FinalizeBlockInternal(config, state, pindexToFinalize)) {
             state.SetCorruptionPossible();
             return error("ConnectTip(): FinalizeBlock %s failed (%s)",