diff --git a/plugins/net_plugin/net_plugin.cpp b/plugins/net_plugin/net_plugin.cpp
index 44beea7102e..ab5b84bac56 100644
--- a/plugins/net_plugin/net_plugin.cpp
+++ b/plugins/net_plugin/net_plugin.cpp
@@ -1549,7 +1549,14 @@ namespace eosio {
          if (msg.known_blocks.ids.size() == 0) {
             fc_elog( logger,"got a catch up with ids size = 0" );
          } else {
-            verify_catchup(c, msg.known_blocks.pending, msg.known_blocks.ids.back());
+            const block_id_type& id = msg.known_blocks.ids.back();
+            controller& cc = chain_plug->chain();
+            if( !cc.fetch_block_by_id( id ) ) {
+               verify_catchup( c, msg.known_blocks.pending, id );
+            } else {
+               // we already have the block, so update peer with our view of the world
+               c->send_handshake();
+            }
          }
       }
       else {