diff --git a/src/pow.cpp b/src/pow.cpp
index fcd55033c..398c84751 100644
--- a/src/pow.cpp
+++ b/src/pow.cpp
@@ -739,8 +739,18 @@ bool RandomXValidationRequired(int32_t height)
     if (HUSH_LOADINGBLOCKS != 0)
         return false;
     extern bool fCheckpointsEnabled;
-    if (fCheckpointsEnabled && height < Checkpoints::GetTotalBlocksEstimate(Params().Checkpoints()))
-        return false;
+    // Gate the RandomX skip on the last checkpoint actually LOCKED INTO this node's block index
+    // (GetLastCheckpoint), NOT the static top checkpoint (GetTotalBlocksEstimate). The fork-rejection
+    // guard uses this same in-index boundary, so a block below it is provably on the checkpoint-pinned
+    // chain and cannot be a forged fork. Using the static boundary would, once checkpoints extend above
+    // the RandomX activation height, leave a gap (in-index checkpoint .. static top) during IBD/eclipse
+    // where a no-hashpower peer could get SHA256-grinded, RandomX-forged blocks accepted. Safe to walk
+    // mapBlockIndex here: called only under cs_main (ActivateBestChainStep + inline CheckRandomXSolution).
+    if (fCheckpointsEnabled) {
+        CBlockIndex* pcheckpoint = Checkpoints::GetLastCheckpoint(Params().Checkpoints());
+        if (pcheckpoint != NULL && height < pcheckpoint->GetHeight())
+            return false;
+    }
     return true;
 }