diff --git a/bitmind/__init__.py b/bitmind/__init__.py
index e9974888..09fc5e90 100644
--- a/bitmind/__init__.py
+++ b/bitmind/__init__.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 # DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 
 
-__version__ = "2.2.7"
+__version__ = "2.2.8"
 version_split = __version__.split(".")
 __spec_version__ = (
     (1000 * int(version_split[0]))
diff --git a/bitmind/base/miner.py b/bitmind/base/miner.py
index e63d70a1..a2228c30 100644
--- a/bitmind/base/miner.py
+++ b/bitmind/base/miner.py
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ async def blacklist(
 
         if self.config.blacklist.force_validator_permit:
             # If the config is set to force validator permit, then we should only allow requests from validators.
-            if not self.metagraph.validator_permit[uid]:
+            if not self.metagraph.validator_permit[uid] or self.metagraph.S[uid] < 30000:
                 bt.logging.warning(
                     f"Blacklisting a request from non-validator hotkey {synapse.dendrite.hotkey}"
                 )