diff --git a/src/qt/clientmodel.cpp b/src/qt/clientmodel.cpp
--- a/src/qt/clientmodel.cpp
+++ b/src/qt/clientmodel.cpp
@@ -221,8 +221,10 @@
         clientmodel->cachedBestHeaderHeight = height;
         clientmodel->cachedBestHeaderTime = blockTime;
     }
-    // if we are in-sync, update the UI regardless of last update time
-    if (!initialSync || now - nLastUpdateNotification > MODEL_UPDATE_DELAY) {
+    // if we are in-sync or if we notify a header update, update the UI
+    // regardless of last update time
+    if (fHeader || !initialSync ||
+        now - nLastUpdateNotification > MODEL_UPDATE_DELAY) {
         // pass an async signal to the UI thread
         QMetaObject::invokeMethod(
             clientmodel, "numBlocksChanged", Qt::QueuedConnection,