diff --git a/src/net_processing.cpp b/src/net_processing.cpp
--- a/src/net_processing.cpp
+++ b/src/net_processing.cpp
@@ -2990,7 +2990,11 @@
         LogPrint(BCLog::NET, "received block %s peer=%d\n",
                  pblock->GetHash().ToString(), pfrom->GetId());
 
-        bool forceProcessing = false;
+        // 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();
         const uint256 hash(pblock->GetHash());
         {
             LOCK(cs_main);