diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
index 8119d9d09..0c30394b1 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ namespace
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<bool> arg_restricted = {"restricted-rpc", "Restricts to view-only commands", false};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_wallet_dir = {"wallet-dir", "Directory for newly created wallets"};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<bool> arg_prompt_for_password = {"prompt-for-password", "Prompts for password when not provided", false};
+  const command_line::arg_descriptor<bool> arg_no_initial_sync = {"no-initial-sync", "Skips the initial sync before listening for connections", false};
 
   constexpr const char default_rpc_username[] = "monero";
 
@@ -4554,6 +4555,7 @@ public:
       const auto password_file = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_password_file);
       const auto prompt_for_password = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_prompt_for_password);
       const auto password_prompt = prompt_for_password ? password_prompter : nullptr;
+      const auto no_initial_sync = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_no_initial_sync);
 
       if(!wallet_file.empty() && !from_json.empty())
       {
@@ -4622,7 +4624,8 @@ public:
 
       try
       {
-        wal->refresh(wal->is_trusted_daemon());
+        if (!no_initial_sync)
+          wal->refresh(wal->is_trusted_daemon());
       }
       catch (const std::exception& e)
       {
@@ -4733,6 +4736,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_wallet_dir);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_prompt_for_password);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_rpc_client_secret_key);
+  command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_no_initial_sync);
 
   daemonizer::init_options(hidden_options, desc_params);
   desc_params.add(hidden_options);