diff --git a/src/rpc/server/handshake.rs b/src/rpc/server/handshake.rs
index 42cc1c3..c7d6182 100644
--- a/src/rpc/server/handshake.rs
+++ b/src/rpc/server/handshake.rs
@@ -77,11 +77,9 @@ async fn sync_incoming_peer_before_operational(
 
     if local_genesis_exists && remote_height < local_height {
         warn!(
-            "[startup] incoming peer is behind local chain and must reconnect through its own sync path: local_height={local_height} remote_height={remote_height}"
+            "[startup] incoming peer is behind local chain; keeping connection passive until peer catches up: local_height={local_height} remote_height={remote_height}"
         );
-        return Err(format!(
-            "incoming peer is behind local chain: local_height={local_height} remote_height={remote_height}"
-        ));
+        return Ok(false);
     }
 
     if !local_genesis_exists || remote_height > local_height + 10 {