diff --git a/controller/src/command.rs b/controller/src/command.rs
index f2f5d878..2c7777c7 100644
--- a/controller/src/command.rs
+++ b/controller/src/command.rs
@@ -894,6 +894,7 @@ where
 pub struct CheckArgs {
 	pub delete_unconfirmed: bool,
 	pub start_height: Option<u64>,
+	pub backwards_from_tip: Option<u64>,
 }
 
 pub fn scan<L, C, K>(
@@ -907,8 +908,16 @@ where
 	K: keychain::Keychain + 'static,
 {
 	controller::owner_single_use(None, keychain_mask, Some(owner_api), |api, m| {
-		warn!("Starting output scan ...",);
-		let result = api.scan(m, args.start_height, args.delete_unconfirmed);
+		let tip_height = api.node_height(m)?.height;
+		let start_height = match args.backwards_from_tip {
+			Some(b) => tip_height.saturating_sub(b),
+			None => match args.start_height {
+				Some(s) => s,
+				None => 1,
+			},
+		};
+		warn!("Starting output scan from height {} ...", start_height);
+		let result = api.scan(m, Some(start_height), args.delete_unconfirmed);
 		match result {
 			Ok(_) => {
 				warn!("Wallet check complete",);
diff --git a/src/bin/grin-wallet.yml b/src/bin/grin-wallet.yml
index a7b98fcc..8b5b1b43 100644
--- a/src/bin/grin-wallet.yml
+++ b/src/bin/grin-wallet.yml
@@ -368,7 +368,11 @@ subcommands:
             help: If given, the first block from which to start the scan (default 1)
             short: h
             long: start_height
-            default_value: "1"
+            takes_value: true
+        - backwards_from_tip:
+            help: If given, start scan b blocks back from the tip
+            short: b
+            long: backwards_from_tip,
             takes_value: true
   - export_proof:
       about: Export a payment proof from a completed transaction
diff --git a/src/cmd/wallet_args.rs b/src/cmd/wallet_args.rs
index 73825d25..946fccbd 100644
--- a/src/cmd/wallet_args.rs
+++ b/src/cmd/wallet_args.rs
@@ -705,9 +705,15 @@ pub fn parse_info_args(args: &ArgMatches) -> Result<command::InfoArgs, ParseErro
 pub fn parse_check_args(args: &ArgMatches) -> Result<command::CheckArgs, ParseError> {
 	let delete_unconfirmed = args.is_present("delete_unconfirmed");
 	let start_height = parse_u64_or_none(args.value_of("start_height"));
+	let backwards_from_tip = parse_u64_or_none(args.value_of("backwards_from_tip"));
+	if backwards_from_tip.is_some() && start_height.is_some() {
+		let msg = format!("backwards_from tip and start_height cannot both be present");
+		return Err(ParseError::ArgumentError(msg));
+	}
 	Ok(command::CheckArgs {
-		start_height: start_height,
-		delete_unconfirmed: delete_unconfirmed,
+		start_height,
+		backwards_from_tip,
+		delete_unconfirmed,
 	})
 }