diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
index d357815b..6b1026a5 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
@@ -2165,14 +2165,23 @@ crypto::secret_key wallet2::generate(const std::string& wallet_, const std::stri
   m_account_public_address = m_account.get_keys().m_account_address;
   m_watch_only = false;
 
+  // -1 month for fluctuations in block time and machine date/time setup.
+  // avg seconds per block
+  const int seconds_per_block = DIFFICULTY_TARGET_V2;
+  // ~num blocks per month
+  const uint64_t blocks_per_month = 60*60*24*30/seconds_per_block;
+
+  // try asking the daemon first
+  if(m_refresh_from_block_height == 0 && !recover){
+    std::string err;
+    uint64_t height = get_daemon_blockchain_height(err);
+    if (err.empty())
+      m_refresh_from_block_height = height - blocks_per_month;
+  }
+
   if(m_refresh_from_block_height == 0 && !recover){
     // Wallets created offline don't know blockchain height.
     // Set blockchain height calculated from current date/time
-    // -1 month for fluctuations in block time and machine date/time setup.
-    // avg seconds per block
-    const int seconds_per_block = DIFFICULTY_TARGET_V2;
-    // ~num blocks per month
-    const uint64_t blocks_per_month = 60*60*24*30/seconds_per_block;
     uint64_t approx_blockchain_height = get_approximate_blockchain_height();
     if(approx_blockchain_height > 0) {
       m_refresh_from_block_height = approx_blockchain_height - blocks_per_month;