diff --git a/rpc.go b/rpc.go
index a1632a5..d1816b8 100644
--- a/rpc.go
+++ b/rpc.go
@@ -113,6 +113,14 @@ func GetCurrentNet(rpc RPCConn) (btcwire.BitcoinNet, *btcjson.Error) {
 	return btcwire.BitcoinNet(uint32(response.Result.(float64))), nil
 }
 
+// NotifyBlocks requests blockconnected and blockdisconnected notifications.
+func NotifyBlocks(rpc RPCConn) *btcjson.Error {
+	cmd := btcws.NewNotifyBlocksCmd(<-NewJSONID)
+	request := NewRPCRequest(cmd, nil)
+	response := <-rpc.SendRequest(request)
+	return response.Err
+}
+
 // NotifyNewTXs requests notifications for new transactions that spend
 // to any of the addresses in addrs.
 func NotifyNewTXs(rpc RPCConn, addrs []string) *btcjson.Error {
diff --git a/sockets.go b/sockets.go
index dd84059..0d5053f 100644
--- a/sockets.go
+++ b/sockets.go
@@ -507,6 +507,9 @@ func Handshake(rpc RPCConn) error {
 		return errors.New("btcd and btcwallet running on different Bitcoin networks")
 	}
 
+	// Request notifications for connected and disconnected blocks.
+	NotifyBlocks(rpc)
+
 	// Get current best block.  If this is before than the oldest
 	// saved block hash, assume that this btcd instance is not yet
 	// synced up to a previous btcd that was last used with this