diff --git a/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/comptool.py b/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/comptool.py
index 7c92d3f82..17679fc7e 100755
--- a/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/comptool.py
+++ b/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/comptool.py
@@ -111,6 +111,11 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
         m.locator = self.block_store.get_locator(self.bestblockhash)
         self.conn.send_message(m)
 
+    def send_header(self, header):
+        m = msg_headers()
+        m.headers.append(header)
+        self.conn.send_message(m)
+
     # This assumes BIP31
     def send_ping(self, nonce):
         self.pingMap[nonce] = True
@@ -345,8 +350,16 @@ class TestManager(object):
                     # Either send inv's to each node and sync, or add
                     # to invqueue for later inv'ing.
                     if (test_instance.sync_every_block):
-                        [ c.cb.send_inv(block) for c in self.connections ]
-                        self.sync_blocks(block.sha256, 1)
+                        # if we expect success, send inv and sync every block
+                        # if we expect failure, just push the block and see what happens.
+                        if outcome == True:
+                            [ c.cb.send_inv(block) for c in self.connections ]
+                            self.sync_blocks(block.sha256, 1)
+                        else:
+                            [ c.send_message(msg_block(block)) for c in self.connections ]
+                            [ c.cb.send_ping(self.ping_counter) for c in self.connections ]
+                            self.wait_for_pings(self.ping_counter)
+                            self.ping_counter += 1
                         if (not self.check_results(tip, outcome)):
                             raise AssertionError("Test failed at test %d" % test_number)
                     else:
@@ -354,6 +367,8 @@ class TestManager(object):
                 elif isinstance(b_or_t, CBlockHeader):
                     block_header = b_or_t
                     self.block_store.add_header(block_header)
+                    [ c.cb.send_header(block_header) for c in self.connections ]
+
                 else:  # Tx test runner
                     assert(isinstance(b_or_t, CTransaction))
                     tx = b_or_t