diff --git a/src/stratifier.c b/src/stratifier.c
index d21d5968..b144b572 100644
--- a/src/stratifier.c
+++ b/src/stratifier.c
@@ -5484,7 +5484,7 @@ static void parse_instance_msg(ckpool_t *ckp, sdata_t *sdata, smsg_t *msg, strat
 	/* At startup we block until there's a current workbase otherwise we
 	 * will reject miners with the initialising message. A slightly delayed
 	 * response to subscribe is better tolerated. */
-	while (unlikely(!sdata->current_workbase)) {
+	while (unlikely(!ckp->proxy && !sdata->current_workbase)) {
 		cksleep_ms(100);
 		if (!(++delays % 50))
 			LOGWARNING("%d Second delay waiting for bitcoind at startup", delays / 10);