diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index 03542d8df4..8aa352925c 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+5533.	[func]		Add "stale-refresh-time" option, a time window that
+			starts after a failed lookup, during which stale rrset
+			will be served directly from cache before a new
+			attempt to refresh it is made. [GL #2066]
+
 5532.	[cleanup]	Unused header files were removed:
 			bin/rndc/include/rndc/os.h, lib/isc/timer_p.h,
 			lib/isccfg/include/isccfg/dnsconf.h and code related
diff --git a/bin/named/config.c b/bin/named/config.c
index 863feae8b3..9b0c6f06e2 100644
--- a/bin/named/config.c
+++ b/bin/named/config.c
@@ -196,6 +196,7 @@ options {\n\
 	servfail-ttl 1;\n\
 #	sortlist <none>\n\
 	stale-answer-enable false;\n\
+	stale-refresh-time 30; /* 30 seconds */\n\
 	stale-answer-ttl 1; /* 1 second */\n\
 	stale-cache-enable false;\n\
 	synth-from-dnssec no;\n\
diff --git a/bin/named/named.conf.rst b/bin/named/named.conf.rst
index 2f7c6a9854..42f6f80063 100644
--- a/bin/named/named.conf.rst
+++ b/bin/named/named.conf.rst
@@ -401,6 +401,7 @@ OPTIONS
   	stale-answer-enable boolean;
   	stale-answer-ttl duration;
   	stale-cache-enable boolean;
+  	stale-refresh-time duration;
   	startup-notify-rate integer;
   	statistics-file quoted_string;
   	synth-from-dnssec boolean;
@@ -797,6 +798,7 @@ VIEW
   	stale-answer-enable boolean;
   	stale-answer-ttl duration;
   	stale-cache-enable boolean;
+  	stale-refresh-time duration;
   	synth-from-dnssec boolean;
   	transfer-format ( many-answers | one-answer );
   	transfer-source ( ipv4_address | * ) [ port ( integer | * ) ] [
diff --git a/bin/named/server.c b/bin/named/server.c
index a864c1d8fd..7964cd20fa 100644
--- a/bin/named/server.c
+++ b/bin/named/server.c
@@ -1869,7 +1869,7 @@ cache_reusable(dns_view_t *originview, dns_view_t *view,
 static bool
 cache_sharable(dns_view_t *originview, dns_view_t *view,
 	       bool new_zero_no_soattl, uint64_t new_max_cache_size,
-	       uint32_t new_stale_ttl) {
+	       uint32_t new_stale_ttl, uint32_t new_stale_refresh_time) {
 	/*
 	 * If the cache cannot even reused for the same view, it cannot be
 	 * shared with other views.
@@ -1883,6 +1883,8 @@ cache_sharable(dns_view_t *originview, dns_view_t *view,
 	 * the sharing views.
 	 */
 	if (dns_cache_getservestalettl(originview->cache) != new_stale_ttl ||
+	    dns_cache_getservestalerefresh(originview->cache) !=
+		    new_stale_refresh_time ||
 	    dns_cache_getcachesize(originview->cache) != new_max_cache_size)
 	{
 		return (false);
@@ -3897,6 +3899,7 @@ configure_view(dns_view_t *view, dns_viewlist_t *viewlist, cfg_obj_t *config,
 	size_t max_adb_size;
 	uint32_t lame_ttl, fail_ttl;
 	uint32_t max_stale_ttl = 0;
+	uint32_t stale_refresh_time = 0;
 	dns_tsig_keyring_t *ring = NULL;
 	dns_view_t *pview = NULL; /* Production view */
 	isc_mem_t *cmctx = NULL, *hmctx = NULL;
@@ -4395,6 +4398,11 @@ configure_view(dns_view_t *view, dns_viewlist_t *viewlist, cfg_obj_t *config,
 		view->staleanswersok = dns_stale_answer_conf;
 	}
 
+	obj = NULL;
+	result = named_config_get(maps, "stale-refresh-time", &obj);
+	INSIST(result == ISC_R_SUCCESS);
+	stale_refresh_time = cfg_obj_asduration(obj);
+
 	/*
 	 * Configure the view's cache.
 	 *
@@ -4429,7 +4437,8 @@ configure_view(dns_view_t *view, dns_viewlist_t *viewlist, cfg_obj_t *config,
 	nsc = cachelist_find(cachelist, cachename, view->rdclass);
 	if (nsc != NULL) {
 		if (!cache_sharable(nsc->primaryview, view, zero_no_soattl,
-				    max_cache_size, max_stale_ttl))
+				    max_cache_size, max_stale_ttl,
+				    stale_refresh_time))
 		{
 			isc_log_write(named_g_lctx, NAMED_LOGCATEGORY_GENERAL,
 				      NAMED_LOGMODULE_SERVER, ISC_LOG_ERROR,
@@ -4529,6 +4538,7 @@ configure_view(dns_view_t *view, dns_viewlist_t *viewlist, cfg_obj_t *config,
 
 	dns_cache_setcachesize(cache, max_cache_size);
 	dns_cache_setservestalettl(cache, max_stale_ttl);
+	dns_cache_setservestalerefresh(cache, stale_refresh_time);
 
 	dns_cache_detach(&cache);
 
@@ -16162,6 +16172,7 @@ named_server_servestale(named_server_t *server, isc_lex_t *lex,
 	     view = ISC_LIST_NEXT(view, link))
 	{
 		dns_ttl_t stale_ttl = 0;
+		uint32_t stale_refresh = 0;
 		dns_db_t *db = NULL;
 
 		if (classtxt != NULL && rdclass != view->rdclass) {
@@ -16181,6 +16192,7 @@ named_server_servestale(named_server_t *server, isc_lex_t *lex,
 		db = NULL;
 		dns_db_attach(view->cachedb, &db);
 		(void)dns_db_getservestalettl(db, &stale_ttl);
+		(void)dns_db_getservestalerefresh(db, &stale_refresh);
 		dns_db_detach(&db);
 		if (found) {
 			CHECK(putstr(text, "\n"));
@@ -16210,8 +16222,10 @@ named_server_servestale(named_server_t *server, isc_lex_t *lex,
 		}
 		if (stale_ttl > 0) {
 			snprintf(msg, sizeof(msg),
-				 " (stale-answer-ttl=%u max-stale-ttl=%u)",
-				 view->staleanswerttl, stale_ttl);
+				 " (stale-answer-ttl=%u max-stale-ttl=%u "
+				 "stale-refresh-time=%u)",
+				 view->staleanswerttl, stale_ttl,
+				 stale_refresh);
 			CHECK(putstr(text, msg));
 		}
 		found = true;
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/checkconf/servestale.stale-refresh-time.0.conf b/bin/tests/system/checkconf/servestale.stale-refresh-time.0.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2e58140c2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/checkconf/servestale.stale-refresh-time.0.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+ *
+ * This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+ * License, v. 2.0. If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+ * file, You can obtain one at http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+ *
+ * See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+ * information regarding copyright ownership.
+ */
+
+options {
+	stale-refresh-time 0;
+};
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/checkconf/servestale.stale-refresh-time.29.conf b/bin/tests/system/checkconf/servestale.stale-refresh-time.29.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..92fe8dcf8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/checkconf/servestale.stale-refresh-time.29.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+ *
+ * This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+ * License, v. 2.0. If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+ * file, You can obtain one at http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+ *
+ * See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+ * information regarding copyright ownership.
+ */
+
+options {
+	stale-refresh-time 29;
+};
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/checkconf/tests.sh b/bin/tests/system/checkconf/tests.sh
index d8e6db714e..244c226469 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/checkconf/tests.sh
+++ b/bin/tests/system/checkconf/tests.sh
@@ -139,6 +139,19 @@ grep '.*' < checkconf.out$n.2 > /dev/null && ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=`expr $status + $ret`
 
+n=`expr $n + 1`
+echo_i "checking named-checkconf servestale warnings ($n)"
+ret=0
+$CHECKCONF servestale.stale-refresh-time.0.conf > checkconf.out$n.1 2>&1
+grep "'stale-refresh-time' should either be 0 or otherwise 30 seconds or higher" < checkconf.out$n.1 > /dev/null && ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=`expr $status + $ret`
+ret=0
+$CHECKCONF servestale.stale-refresh-time.29.conf > checkconf.out$n.1 2>&1
+grep "'stale-refresh-time' should either be 0 or otherwise 30 seconds or higher" < checkconf.out$n.1 > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=`expr $status + $ret`
+
 n=`expr $n + 1`
 echo_i "range checking fields that do not allow zero ($n)"
 ret=0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/dyndb/driver/db.c b/bin/tests/system/dyndb/driver/db.c
index cbeff6172b..77d335e2ea 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/dyndb/driver/db.c
+++ b/bin/tests/system/dyndb/driver/db.c
@@ -589,6 +589,8 @@ static dns_dbmethods_t sampledb_methods = {
 	NULL, /* getsize */
 	NULL, /* setservestalettl */
 	NULL, /* getservestalettl */
+	NULL, /* setservestalerefresh */
+	NULL, /* getservestalerefresh */
 	NULL, /* setgluecachestats */
 	NULL  /* adjusthashsize */
 };
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/ns1/named1.conf.in b/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/ns1/named1.conf.in
index 6586849d85..41347871cd 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/ns1/named1.conf.in
+++ b/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/ns1/named1.conf.in
@@ -28,9 +28,10 @@ options {
 	listen-on-v6 { none; };
 	recursion yes;
 	max-stale-ttl 3600;
-	stale-answer-ttl 2;
+	stale-answer-ttl 4;
 	stale-answer-enable yes;
 	stale-cache-enable yes;
+	stale-refresh-time 30;
 	servfail-ttl 0;
 };
 
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/ns1/named3.conf.in b/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/ns1/named3.conf.in
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f97dea958d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/ns1/named3.conf.in
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+ *
+ * This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+ * License, v. 2.0. If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+ * file, You can obtain one at http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+ *
+ * See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+ * information regarding copyright ownership.
+ */
+
+key rndc_key {
+	secret "1234abcd8765";
+	algorithm hmac-sha256;
+};
+
+controls {
+	inet 10.53.0.1 port @CONTROLPORT@ allow { any; } keys { rndc_key; };
+};
+
+options {
+	query-source address 10.53.0.1;
+	notify-source 10.53.0.1;
+	transfer-source 10.53.0.1;
+	port @PORT@;
+	pid-file "named.pid";
+	listen-on { 10.53.0.1; };
+	listen-on-v6 { none; };
+	recursion yes;
+	max-stale-ttl 20;
+	stale-answer-ttl 3;
+	stale-answer-enable yes;
+	stale-cache-enable yes;
+	stale-refresh-time 0;
+	servfail-ttl 0;
+};
+
+zone "." {
+	type primary;
+	file "root.db";
+};
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/tests.sh b/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/tests.sh
index 518396bde4..6a1c675a46 100755
--- a/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/tests.sh
+++ b/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/tests.sh
@@ -12,15 +12,6 @@
 . ../conf.sh
 
 RNDCCMD="$RNDC -c ../common/rndc.conf -p ${CONTROLPORT} -s"
-
-# wait up to 11 seconds to ensure that a file has been written
-waitfile () {
-    for try in 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10; do
-        [ -s "$1" ] && break
-        sleep 1
-    done
-}
-
 DIG="$DIG +time=11"
 
 max_stale_ttl=$(sed -ne 's,^[[:space:]]*max-stale-ttl \([[:digit:]]*\).*,\1,p' $TOP_SRCDIR/bin/named/config.c)
@@ -108,7 +99,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep '_default: on (stale-answer-ttl=2 max-stale-ttl=3600)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep '_default: on (stale-answer-ttl=4 max-stale-ttl=3600 stale-refresh-time=30)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -120,18 +111,14 @@ $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check stale data.example ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "data\.example\..*2.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*4.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -153,7 +140,7 @@ echo_i "check stale othertype.example ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "othertype\.example\..*2.*IN.*CAA.*0.*issue" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "othertype\.example\..*4.*IN.*CAA.*0.*issue" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -162,7 +149,7 @@ echo_i "check stale nodata.example ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 0," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "example\..*2.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "example\..*4.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -171,7 +158,7 @@ echo_i "check stale nxdomain.example ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NXDOMAIN" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 0," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "example\..*2.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "example\..*4.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -194,6 +181,77 @@ grep "1 #NXDOMAIN" ns1/named.stats.$n.cachedb > /dev/null || ret=1
 status=$((status+ret))
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 
+# Test stale-refresh-time when serve-stale is enabled via configuration.
+# Steps for testing stale-refresh-time option (default).
+# 1. Prime cache data.example txt
+# 2. Disable responses from authoritative server.
+# 3. Sleep for TTL duration so rrset TTL expires (2 sec)
+# 4. Query data.example
+# 5. Check if response come from stale rrset (3 sec TTL)
+# 6. Enable responses from authoritative server.
+# 7. Query data.example
+# 8. Check if response come from stale rrset, since the query
+#    is within stale-refresh-time window.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
+ret=0
+$RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
+grep '_default: on (stale-answer-ttl=4 max-stale-ttl=3600 stale-refresh-time=30)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 1-3 done above.
+
+# Step 4.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "sending query for test ($n)"
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 data.example TXT > dig.out.test$n
+
+# Step 5.
+echo_i "check stale data.example (stale-refresh-time) ($n)"
+ret=0
+grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*4.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 6.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "enable responses from authoritative server ($n)"
+ret=0
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.2 txt enable > dig.out.test$n
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "TXT.\"1\"" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 7.
+echo_i "sending query for test $((n+1))"
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 data.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+1))
+
+# Step 8.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "check stale data.example comes from cache (stale-refresh-time) ($n)"
+ret=0
+grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*4.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+#
+# Test disabling serve-stale via rndc.
+#
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "disable responses from authoritative server ($n)"
+ret=0
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.2 txt disable  > dig.out.test$n
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "TXT.\"0\"" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "running 'rndc serve-stale off' ($n)"
 ret=0
@@ -205,7 +263,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep '_default: off (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=2 max-stale-ttl=3600)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep '_default: off (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=4 max-stale-ttl=3600 stale-refresh-time=30)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -215,11 +273,7 @@ $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check stale data.example (serve-stale off) ($n)"
@@ -249,6 +303,9 @@ grep "status: SERVFAIL" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
+#
+# Test enabling serve-stale via rndc.
+#
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "running 'rndc serve-stale on' ($n)"
 ret=0
@@ -260,7 +317,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep '_default: on (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=2 max-stale-ttl=3600)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep '_default: on (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=4 max-stale-ttl=3600 stale-refresh-time=30)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -270,18 +327,14 @@ $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check stale data.example (serve-stale on) ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "data\.example\..*2.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*4.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -290,7 +343,7 @@ echo_i "check stale othertype.example (serve-stale on) ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "othertype\.example\..*2.*IN.*CAA.*0.*issue" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "othertype\.example\..*4.*IN.*CAA.*0.*issue" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -299,7 +352,7 @@ echo_i "check stale nodata.example (serve-stale on) ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 0," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "example\..*2.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "example\..*4.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -308,7 +361,7 @@ echo_i "check stale nxdomain.example (serve-stale on) ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NXDOMAIN" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 0," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "example\..*2.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "example\..*4.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -330,7 +383,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep '_default: on (stale-answer-ttl=2 max-stale-ttl=3600)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep '_default: on (stale-answer-ttl=4 max-stale-ttl=3600 stale-refresh-time=30)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -340,18 +393,14 @@ $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check stale data.example (serve-stale reset) ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "data\.example\..*2.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*4.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -360,7 +409,7 @@ echo_i "check stale othertype.example (serve-stale reset) ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "othertype.example\..*2.*IN.*CAA.*0.*issue" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "othertype.example\..*4.*IN.*CAA.*0.*issue" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -369,7 +418,7 @@ echo_i "check stale nodata.example (serve-stale reset) ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 0," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "example\..*2.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "example\..*4.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -378,7 +427,7 @@ echo_i "check stale nxdomain.example (serve-stale reset) ($n)"
 ret=0
 grep "status: NXDOMAIN" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 0," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
-grep "example\..*2.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "example\..*4.*IN.*SOA" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -393,7 +442,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep '_default: off (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=2 max-stale-ttl=3600)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep '_default: off (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=4 max-stale-ttl=3600 stale-refresh-time=30)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -421,7 +470,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep '_default: off (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=3 max-stale-ttl=20)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep '_default: off (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=3 max-stale-ttl=20 stale-refresh-time=30)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -440,7 +489,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep '_default: on (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=3 max-stale-ttl=20)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep '_default: on (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=3 max-stale-ttl=20 stale-refresh-time=30)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -498,6 +547,10 @@ grep "ANSWER: 0," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
+# keep track of time so we can access these rrset later,
+# when we expect them to become ancient.
+t1=`$PERL -e 'print time()'`
+
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "verify prime cache statistics (low max-stale-ttl) ($n)"
 ret=0
@@ -532,11 +585,7 @@ $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check stale data.example (low max-stale-ttl) ($n)"
@@ -594,17 +643,27 @@ grep "1 #NXDOMAIN" ns1/named.stats.$n.cachedb > /dev/null || ret=1
 status=$((status+ret))
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 
+# retrieve max-stale-ttl value,
+interval_to_ancient=`grep 'max-stale-ttl' ns1/named2.conf.in  | awk '{ print $2 }' | tr -d ';'`
+# we add 2 seconds to it since this is the ttl value of the records being tested.
+interval_to_ancient=$((interval_to_ancient + 2))
+t2=`$PERL -e 'print time()'`
+elapsed=$((t2 - t1))
+
+# if elapsed time so far is less than max-stale-ttl + 2 seconds,
+# then we sleep enough to ensure that we'll ask for ancient rrsets
+# in the next queries.
+if [ $elapsed -lt $interval_to_ancient ]; then
+    sleep $((interval_to_ancient - elapsed))
+fi
+
 echo_i "sending queries for tests $((n+1))-$((n+4))..."
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 data.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+1)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check ancient data.example (low max-stale-ttl) ($n)"
@@ -638,6 +697,201 @@ grep "ANSWER: 0," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
+# Test stale-refresh-time when serve-stale is enabled via rndc.
+# Steps for testing stale-refresh-time option (default).
+# 1. Prime cache data.example txt
+# 2. Disable responses from authoritative server.
+# 3. Sleep for TTL duration so rrset TTL expires (2 sec)
+# 4. Query data.example
+# 5. Check if response come from stale rrset (3 sec TTL)
+# 6. Enable responses from authoritative server.
+# 7. Query data.example
+# 8. Check if response come from stale rrset, since the query
+#    is within stale-refresh-time window.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "flush cache, enable responses from authoritative server ($n)"
+ret=0
+$RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 flushtree example > rndc.out.test$n.1 2>&1 || ret=1
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.2 txt enable  > dig.out.test$n
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "TXT.\"1\"" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
+ret=0
+$RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
+grep '_default: on (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=3 max-stale-ttl=20 stale-refresh-time=30)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 1.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "prime cache data.example (stale-refresh-time rndc) ($n)"
+ret=0
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 data.example TXT > dig.out.test$n
+grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*2.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 2.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "disable responses from authoritative server ($n)"
+ret=0
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.2 txt disable  > dig.out.test$n
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "TXT.\"0\"" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 3.
+sleep 2
+
+# Step 4.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "sending query for test ($n)"
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 data.example TXT > dig.out.test$n
+
+# Step 5.
+echo_i "check stale data.example (stale-refresh-time rndc) ($n)"
+ret=0
+grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*3.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 6.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "enable responses from authoritative server ($n)"
+ret=0
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.2 txt enable > dig.out.test$n
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "TXT.\"1\"" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 7.
+echo_i "sending query for test $((n+1))"
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 data.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+1))
+
+# Step 8.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "check stale data.example comes from cache (stale-refresh-time rndc) ($n)"
+ret=0
+grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*3.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Steps for testing stale-refresh-time option (disabled).
+# 1. Prime cache data.example txt
+# 2. Disable responses from authoritative server.
+# 3. Sleep for TTL duration so rrset TTL expires (2 sec)
+# 4. Query data.example
+# 5. Check if response come from stale rrset (3 sec TTL)
+# 6. Enable responses from authoritative server.
+# 7. Query data.example
+# 8. Check if response come from stale rrset, since the query
+#    is within stale-refresh-time window.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "updating ns1/named.conf ($n)"
+ret=0
+copy_setports ns1/named3.conf.in ns1/named.conf
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "running 'rndc reload' ($n)"
+ret=0
+rndc_reload ns1 10.53.0.1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
+ret=0
+$RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
+grep '_default: on (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=3 max-stale-ttl=20 stale-refresh-time=0)' rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "flush cache, enable responses from authoritative server ($n)"
+ret=0
+$RNDCCMD 10.53.0.1 flushtree example > rndc.out.test$n.1 2>&1 || ret=1
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.2 txt enable  > dig.out.test$n
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "TXT.\"1\"" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 1.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "prime cache data.example (stale-refresh-time disabled) ($n)"
+ret=0
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 data.example TXT > dig.out.test$n
+grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*2.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 2.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "disable responses from authoritative server ($n)"
+ret=0
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.2 txt disable  > dig.out.test$n
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "TXT.\"0\"" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 3.
+sleep 2
+
+# Step 4.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "sending query for test ($n)"
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 data.example TXT > dig.out.test$n
+
+# Step 5.
+echo_i "check stale data.example (stale-refresh-time disabled) ($n)"
+ret=0
+grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*3.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 6.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "enable responses from authoritative server ($n)"
+ret=0
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.2 txt enable > dig.out.test$n
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "TXT.\"1\"" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
+# Step 7.
+echo_i "sending query for test $((n+1))"
+$DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.1 data.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+1))
+
+# Step 8.
+n=$((n+1))
+echo_i "check stale data.example comes from authoritative (stale-refresh-time disabled) ($n)"
+ret=0
+grep "status: NOERROR" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "ANSWER: 1," dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "data\.example\..*2.*IN.*TXT.*A text record with a 2 second ttl" dig.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
+status=$((status+ret))
+
 #
 # Now test server with no serve-stale options set.
 #
@@ -731,7 +985,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.3 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep "_default: off (stale-answer-ttl=1 max-stale-ttl=$max_stale_ttl)" rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "_default: off (stale-answer-ttl=1 max-stale-ttl=$max_stale_ttl stale-refresh-time=30)" rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -743,11 +997,7 @@ $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.3 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.3 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.3 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check fail of data.example (max-stale-ttl default) ($n)"
@@ -812,7 +1062,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.3 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep "_default: on (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=1 max-stale-ttl=$max_stale_ttl)" rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "_default: on (rndc) (stale-answer-ttl=1 max-stale-ttl=$max_stale_ttl stale-refresh-time=30)" rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -824,11 +1074,7 @@ $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.3 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.3 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.3 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check data.example (max-stale-ttl default) ($n)"
@@ -959,7 +1205,7 @@ n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check 'rndc serve-stale status' ($n)"
 ret=0
 $RNDCCMD 10.53.0.4 serve-stale status > rndc.out.test$n 2>&1 || ret=1
-grep "_default: off (stale-answer-ttl=1 max-stale-ttl=$max_stale_ttl)" rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
+grep "_default: off (stale-answer-ttl=1 max-stale-ttl=$max_stale_ttl stale-refresh-time=30)" rndc.out.test$n > /dev/null || ret=1
 if [ $ret != 0 ]; then echo_i "failed"; fi
 status=$((status+ret))
 
@@ -971,11 +1217,7 @@ $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.4 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.4 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.4 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check fail of data.example (serve-stale answers disabled) ($n)"
@@ -1181,11 +1423,7 @@ $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.5 othertype.example CAA > dig.out.test$((n+2)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.5 nodata.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+3)) &
 $DIG -p ${PORT} @10.53.0.5 nxdomain.example TXT > dig.out.test$((n+4))
 
-# ensure all files have been written before proceeding
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+1))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+2))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+3))
-waitfile dig.out.test$((n+4))
+wait
 
 n=$((n+1))
 echo_i "check fail of data.example (serve-stale cache disabled) ($n)"
diff --git a/doc/arm/reference.rst b/doc/arm/reference.rst
index 47485165fb..15ad929a90 100644
--- a/doc/arm/reference.rst
+++ b/doc/arm/reference.rst
@@ -1839,6 +1839,19 @@ Boolean Options
 ``stale-cache-enable``
    If ``yes``, enable the retaining of "stale" cached answers.  Default ``no``.
 
+``stale-refresh-time``
+   If the name servers for a given zone are not answering, this sets the time
+   window for which ``named`` will promptly return "stale" cached answers for
+   that RRSet being requested before a new attempt in contacting the servers
+   is made. For convenience, TTL-style time-unit suffixes may be used to
+   specify the value. It also accepts ISO 8601 duration formats.
+
+   The default ``stale-refresh-time`` is 30 seconds, as RFC 8767 recommends
+   that attempts to refresh to be done no more frequently than every 30
+   seconds. A value of zero disables the feature, meaning that normal
+   resolution will take place first, if that fails only then ``named`` will
+   return "stale" cached answers.
+
 ``nocookie-udp-size``
    This sets the maximum size of UDP responses that are sent to queries
    without a valid server COOKIE. A value below 128 is silently
diff --git a/doc/man/named.conf.5in b/doc/man/named.conf.5in
index 36a770977b..356a0d122b 100644
--- a/doc/man/named.conf.5in
+++ b/doc/man/named.conf.5in
@@ -464,6 +464,7 @@ options {
       stale\-answer\-enable boolean;
       stale\-answer\-ttl duration;
       stale\-cache\-enable boolean;
+      stale\-refresh\-time duration;
       startup\-notify\-rate integer;
       statistics\-file quoted_string;
       synth\-from\-dnssec boolean;
@@ -892,6 +893,7 @@ view string [ class ] {
       stale\-answer\-enable boolean;
       stale\-answer\-ttl duration;
       stale\-cache\-enable boolean;
+      stale\-refresh\-time duration;
       synth\-from\-dnssec boolean;
       transfer\-format ( many\-answers | one\-answer );
       transfer\-source ( ipv4_address | * ) [ port ( integer | * ) ] [
diff --git a/doc/misc/options b/doc/misc/options
index 620407c12f..b49cf12797 100644
--- a/doc/misc/options
+++ b/doc/misc/options
@@ -366,6 +366,7 @@ options {
         stale-answer-enable <boolean>;
         stale-answer-ttl <duration>;
         stale-cache-enable <boolean>;
+        stale-refresh-time <duration>;
         startup-notify-rate <integer>;
         statistics-file <quoted_string>;
         statistics-interval <integer>; // ancient
@@ -758,6 +759,7 @@ view <string> [ <class> ] {
         stale-answer-enable <boolean>;
         stale-answer-ttl <duration>;
         stale-cache-enable <boolean>;
+        stale-refresh-time <duration>;
         suppress-initial-notify <boolean>; // not yet implemented
         synth-from-dnssec <boolean>;
         topology { <address_match_element>; ... }; // ancient
diff --git a/doc/misc/options.active b/doc/misc/options.active
index 99adabde9c..da43db123a 100644
--- a/doc/misc/options.active
+++ b/doc/misc/options.active
@@ -329,6 +329,7 @@ options {
         stale-answer-enable <boolean>;
         stale-answer-ttl <duration>;
         stale-cache-enable <boolean>;
+        stale-refresh-time <duration>;
         startup-notify-rate <integer>;
         statistics-file <quoted_string>;
         synth-from-dnssec <boolean>;
@@ -686,6 +687,7 @@ view <string> [ <class> ] {
         stale-answer-enable <boolean>;
         stale-answer-ttl <duration>;
         stale-cache-enable <boolean>;
+        stale-refresh-time <duration>;
         synth-from-dnssec <boolean>;
         transfer-format ( many-answers | one-answer );
         transfer-source ( <ipv4_address> | * ) [ port ( <integer> | * ) ] [
diff --git a/doc/misc/options.grammar.rst b/doc/misc/options.grammar.rst
index 1725a6e458..ace29b5704 100644
--- a/doc/misc/options.grammar.rst
+++ b/doc/misc/options.grammar.rst
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@
   	stale-answer-enable <boolean>;
   	stale-answer-ttl <duration>;
   	stale-cache-enable <boolean>;
+  	stale-refresh-time <duration>;
   	startup-notify-rate <integer>;
   	statistics-file <quoted_string>;
   	synth-from-dnssec <boolean>;
diff --git a/doc/notes/notes-current.rst b/doc/notes/notes-current.rst
index a4ce7dfe8c..2a784e95fd 100644
--- a/doc/notes/notes-current.rst
+++ b/doc/notes/notes-current.rst
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ New Features
 
 - None.
 
+- A new configuration option ``stale-refresh-time`` has been introduced, it
+  allows stale RRset to be served directly from cache for a period of time
+  after a failed lookup, before a new attempt to refresh it is made. [GL #2066]
+
 Removed Features
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
diff --git a/lib/bind9/check.c b/lib/bind9/check.c
index fde3ec12bb..e1b986bc14 100644
--- a/lib/bind9/check.c
+++ b/lib/bind9/check.c
@@ -1662,6 +1662,17 @@ check_options(const cfg_obj_t *options, isc_log_t *logctx, isc_mem_t *mctx,
 		}
 	}
 
+	obj = NULL;
+	(void)cfg_map_get(options, "stale-refresh-time", &obj);
+	if (obj != NULL) {
+		uint32_t refresh_time = cfg_obj_asduration(obj);
+		if (refresh_time > 0 && refresh_time < 30) {
+			cfg_obj_log(obj, logctx, ISC_LOG_WARNING,
+				    "'stale-refresh-time' should either be 0 "
+				    "or otherwise 30 seconds or higher");
+		}
+	}
+
 	return (result);
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/dns/cache.c b/lib/dns/cache.c
index b8e719951a..931340fe53 100644
--- a/lib/dns/cache.c
+++ b/lib/dns/cache.c
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ struct dns_cache {
 	char **db_argv;
 	size_t size;
 	dns_ttl_t serve_stale_ttl;
+	dns_ttl_t serve_stale_refresh;
 	isc_stats_t *stats;
 
 	/* Locked by 'filelock'. */
@@ -999,6 +1000,28 @@ dns_cache_getservestalettl(dns_cache_t *cache) {
 	return (result == ISC_R_SUCCESS ? ttl : 0);
 }
 
+void
+dns_cache_setservestalerefresh(dns_cache_t *cache, dns_ttl_t interval) {
+	REQUIRE(VALID_CACHE(cache));
+
+	LOCK(&cache->lock);
+	cache->serve_stale_refresh = interval;
+	UNLOCK(&cache->lock);
+
+	(void)dns_db_setservestalerefresh(cache->db, interval);
+}
+
+dns_ttl_t
+dns_cache_getservestalerefresh(dns_cache_t *cache) {
+	isc_result_t result;
+	dns_ttl_t interval;
+
+	REQUIRE(VALID_CACHE(cache));
+
+	result = dns_db_getservestalerefresh(cache->db, &interval);
+	return (result == ISC_R_SUCCESS ? interval : 0);
+}
+
 /*
  * The cleaner task is shutting down; do the necessary cleanup.
  */
diff --git a/lib/dns/db.c b/lib/dns/db.c
index 6db94d51b8..fa605097da 100644
--- a/lib/dns/db.c
+++ b/lib/dns/db.c
@@ -1089,6 +1089,28 @@ dns_db_getservestalettl(dns_db_t *db, dns_ttl_t *ttl) {
 	return (ISC_R_NOTIMPLEMENTED);
 }
 
+isc_result_t
+dns_db_setservestalerefresh(dns_db_t *db, uint32_t interval) {
+	REQUIRE(DNS_DB_VALID(db));
+	REQUIRE((db->attributes & DNS_DBATTR_CACHE) != 0);
+
+	if (db->methods->setservestalerefresh != NULL) {
+		return ((db->methods->setservestalerefresh)(db, interval));
+	}
+	return (ISC_R_NOTIMPLEMENTED);
+}
+
+isc_result_t
+dns_db_getservestalerefresh(dns_db_t *db, uint32_t *interval) {
+	REQUIRE(DNS_DB_VALID(db));
+	REQUIRE((db->attributes & DNS_DBATTR_CACHE) != 0);
+
+	if (db->methods->getservestalerefresh != NULL) {
+		return ((db->methods->getservestalerefresh)(db, interval));
+	}
+	return (ISC_R_NOTIMPLEMENTED);
+}
+
 isc_result_t
 dns_db_setgluecachestats(dns_db_t *db, isc_stats_t *stats) {
 	REQUIRE(dns_db_iszone(db));
diff --git a/lib/dns/dnsrps.c b/lib/dns/dnsrps.c
index 2d261c5c6a..0f2ffb5f35 100644
--- a/lib/dns/dnsrps.c
+++ b/lib/dns/dnsrps.c
@@ -967,6 +967,8 @@ static dns_dbmethods_t rpsdb_db_methods = {
 	NULL, /* getsize */
 	NULL, /* setservestalettl */
 	NULL, /* getservestalettl */
+	NULL, /* setservestalerefresh */
+	NULL, /* getservestalerefresh */
 	NULL, /* setgluecachestats */
 	NULL  /* adjusthashsize */
 };
diff --git a/lib/dns/include/dns/cache.h b/lib/dns/include/dns/cache.h
index ce39765ebc..22e94da9d5 100644
--- a/lib/dns/include/dns/cache.h
+++ b/lib/dns/include/dns/cache.h
@@ -255,6 +255,28 @@ dns_cache_getservestalettl(dns_cache_t *cache);
  *\li	'cache' to be valid.
  */
 
+void
+dns_cache_setservestalerefresh(dns_cache_t *cache, dns_ttl_t interval);
+/*%<
+ * Sets the length of time to wait before attempting to refresh a rrset
+ * if a previous attempt in doing so has failed.
+ * During this time window if stale rrset are available in cache they
+ * will be directly returned to client.
+ *
+ * Requires:
+ *\li	'cache' to be valid.
+ */
+
+dns_ttl_t
+dns_cache_getservestalerefresh(dns_cache_t *cache);
+/*%<
+ * Gets the 'stale-refresh-time' value, set by a previous call to
+ * 'dns_cache_setservestalerefresh'.
+ *
+ * Requires:
+ *\li	'cache' to be valid.
+ */
+
 isc_result_t
 dns_cache_flush(dns_cache_t *cache);
 /*%<
diff --git a/lib/dns/include/dns/db.h b/lib/dns/include/dns/db.h
index 395e8e9679..b79dcae0fa 100644
--- a/lib/dns/include/dns/db.h
+++ b/lib/dns/include/dns/db.h
@@ -178,6 +178,8 @@ typedef struct dns_dbmethods {
 				uint64_t *records, uint64_t *bytes);
 	isc_result_t (*setservestalettl)(dns_db_t *db, dns_ttl_t ttl);
 	isc_result_t (*getservestalettl)(dns_db_t *db, dns_ttl_t *ttl);
+	isc_result_t (*setservestalerefresh)(dns_db_t *db, uint32_t interval);
+	isc_result_t (*getservestalerefresh)(dns_db_t *db, uint32_t *interval);
 	isc_result_t (*setgluecachestats)(dns_db_t *db, isc_stats_t *stats);
 	isc_result_t (*adjusthashsize)(dns_db_t *db, size_t size);
 } dns_dbmethods_t;
@@ -238,6 +240,7 @@ struct dns_dbonupdatelistener {
 #define DNS_DBFIND_ADDITIONALOK 0x0100
 #define DNS_DBFIND_NOZONECUT	0x0200
 #define DNS_DBFIND_STALEOK	0x0400
+#define DNS_DBFIND_STALEENABLED 0x0800
 /*@}*/
 
 /*@{*/
@@ -1701,6 +1704,39 @@ dns_db_getservestalettl(dns_db_t *db, dns_ttl_t *ttl);
  * \li	#ISC_R_NOTIMPLEMENTED - Not supported by this DB implementation.
  */
 
+isc_result_t
+dns_db_setservestalerefresh(dns_db_t *db, uint32_t interval);
+/*%<
+ * Sets the length of time to wait before attempting to refresh a rrset
+ * if a previous attempt in doing so has failed.
+ * During this time window if stale rrset are available in cache they
+ * will be directly returned to client.
+ *
+ * Requires:
+ * \li	'db' is a valid cache database.
+ * \li	'interval' is number of seconds before attempting to refresh data.
+ *
+ * Returns:
+ * \li	#ISC_R_SUCCESS
+ * \li	#ISC_R_NOTIMPLEMENTED - Not supported by this DB implementation.
+ */
+
+isc_result_t
+dns_db_getservestalerefresh(dns_db_t *db, uint32_t *interval);
+/*%<
+ * Gets the length of time in which stale answers are directly returned from
+ * cache before attempting to refresh them, in case a previous attempt in
+ * doing so has failed.
+ *
+ * Requires:
+ * \li	'db' is a valid cache database.
+ * \li	'interval' is number of seconds before attempting to refresh data.
+ *
+ * Returns:
+ * \li	#ISC_R_SUCCESS
+ * \li	#ISC_R_NOTIMPLEMENTED - Not supported by this DB implementation.
+ */
+
 isc_result_t
 dns_db_setgluecachestats(dns_db_t *db, isc_stats_t *stats);
 /*%<
diff --git a/lib/dns/rbtdb.c b/lib/dns/rbtdb.c
index 6cad7abdd9..f8d51e9a4b 100644
--- a/lib/dns/rbtdb.c
+++ b/lib/dns/rbtdb.c
@@ -205,6 +205,7 @@ typedef struct rdatasetheader {
 	rbtdb_rdatatype_t type;
 	atomic_uint_least16_t attributes;
 	dns_trust_t trust;
+	isc_stdtime_t last_refresh_fail_ts;
 	struct noqname *noqname;
 	struct noqname *closest;
 	unsigned int is_mmapped : 1;
@@ -488,6 +489,13 @@ struct dns_rbtdb {
 	 */
 	dns_ttl_t serve_stale_ttl;
 
+	/*
+	 * The time after a failed lookup, where stale answers from cache
+	 * may be used directly in a DNS response without attempting a
+	 * new iterative lookup.
+	 */
+	uint32_t serve_stale_refresh;
+
 	/*
 	 * This is a linked list used to implement the LRU cache.  There will
 	 * be node_lock_count linked lists here.  Nodes in bucket 1 will be
@@ -4547,6 +4555,27 @@ check_stale_header(dns_rbtnode_t *node, rdatasetheader_t *header,
 		    stale > search->now) {
 			mark_header_stale(search->rbtdb, header);
 			*header_prev = header;
+			/*
+			 * If DNS_DBFIND_STALEOK is set then it means we failed
+			 * to resolve the name during recursion, in this case we
+			 * mark the time in which the refresh failed.
+			 */
+			if ((search->options & DNS_DBFIND_STALEOK) != 0) {
+				header->last_refresh_fail_ts = search->now;
+			} else if ((search->options &
+				    DNS_DBFIND_STALEENABLED) != 0 &&
+				   search->now <
+					   (header->last_refresh_fail_ts +
+					    search->rbtdb->serve_stale_refresh))
+			{
+				/*
+				 * If we are within interval between last
+				 * refresh failure time + 'stale-refresh-time',
+				 * then don't skip this stale entry but use it
+				 * instead.
+				 */
+				return (false);
+			}
 			return ((search->options & DNS_DBFIND_STALEOK) == 0);
 		}
 
@@ -8379,6 +8408,29 @@ getservestalettl(dns_db_t *db, dns_ttl_t *ttl) {
 	return (ISC_R_SUCCESS);
 }
 
+static isc_result_t
+setservestalerefresh(dns_db_t *db, uint32_t interval) {
+	dns_rbtdb_t *rbtdb = (dns_rbtdb_t *)db;
+
+	REQUIRE(VALID_RBTDB(rbtdb));
+	REQUIRE(IS_CACHE(rbtdb));
+
+	/* currently no bounds checking.  0 means disable. */
+	rbtdb->serve_stale_refresh = interval;
+	return (ISC_R_SUCCESS);
+}
+
+static isc_result_t
+getservestalerefresh(dns_db_t *db, uint32_t *interval) {
+	dns_rbtdb_t *rbtdb = (dns_rbtdb_t *)db;
+
+	REQUIRE(VALID_RBTDB(rbtdb));
+	REQUIRE(IS_CACHE(rbtdb));
+
+	*interval = rbtdb->serve_stale_refresh;
+	return (ISC_R_SUCCESS);
+}
+
 static dns_dbmethods_t zone_methods = { attach,
 					detach,
 					beginload,
@@ -8426,6 +8478,8 @@ static dns_dbmethods_t zone_methods = { attach,
 					getsize,
 					NULL, /* setservestalettl */
 					NULL, /* getservestalettl */
+					NULL, /* setservestalerefresh */
+					NULL, /* getservestalerefresh */
 					setgluecachestats,
 					adjusthashsize };
 
@@ -8476,6 +8530,8 @@ static dns_dbmethods_t cache_methods = { attach,
 					 NULL, /* getsize */
 					 setservestalettl,
 					 getservestalettl,
+					 setservestalerefresh,
+					 getservestalerefresh,
 					 NULL,
 					 adjusthashsize };
 
diff --git a/lib/dns/sdb.c b/lib/dns/sdb.c
index d525963f52..d9de422409 100644
--- a/lib/dns/sdb.c
+++ b/lib/dns/sdb.c
@@ -1309,6 +1309,8 @@ static dns_dbmethods_t sdb_methods = {
 	NULL, /* getsize */
 	NULL, /* setservestalettl */
 	NULL, /* getservestalettl */
+	NULL, /* setservestalerefresh */
+	NULL, /* getservestalerefresh */
 	NULL, /* setgluecachestats */
 	NULL  /* adjusthashsize */
 };
diff --git a/lib/dns/sdlz.c b/lib/dns/sdlz.c
index 14b55eb074..c8a615a0f3 100644
--- a/lib/dns/sdlz.c
+++ b/lib/dns/sdlz.c
@@ -1281,6 +1281,8 @@ static dns_dbmethods_t sdlzdb_methods = {
 	NULL, /* getsize */
 	NULL, /* setservestalettl */
 	NULL, /* getservestalettl */
+	NULL, /* setservestalerefresh */
+	NULL, /* getservestalerefresh */
 	NULL, /* setgluecachestats */
 	NULL  /* adjusthashsize */
 };
diff --git a/lib/dns/win32/libdns.def.in b/lib/dns/win32/libdns.def.in
index 6567fa4ced..63d9530f05 100644
--- a/lib/dns/win32/libdns.def.in
+++ b/lib/dns/win32/libdns.def.in
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ dns_cache_flushname
 dns_cache_flushnode
 dns_cache_getcachesize
 dns_cache_getname
+dns_cache_getservestalerefresh
 dns_cache_getservestalettl
 dns_cache_getstats
 dns_cache_load
@@ -93,6 +94,7 @@ dns_cache_renderxml
 @END LIBXML2
 dns_cache_setcachesize
 dns_cache_setfilename
+dns_cache_setservestalerefresh
 dns_cache_setservestalettl
 dns_cache_updatestats
 dns_catz_add_zone
@@ -198,6 +200,7 @@ dns_db_getnsec3parameters
 dns_db_getoriginnode
 dns_db_getrrsetstats
 dns_db_getservestalettl
+dns_db_getservestalerefresh
 dns_db_getsigningtime
 dns_db_getsize
 dns_db_getsoaserial
@@ -223,6 +226,7 @@ dns_db_serialize
 dns_db_setcachestats
 dns_db_setgluecachestats
 dns_db_setservestalettl
+dns_db_setservestalerefresh
 dns_db_setsigningtime
 dns_db_settask
 dns_db_subtractrdataset
diff --git a/lib/isccfg/namedconf.c b/lib/isccfg/namedconf.c
index 23cf73f477..7551e1d8cf 100644
--- a/lib/isccfg/namedconf.c
+++ b/lib/isccfg/namedconf.c
@@ -2051,6 +2051,7 @@ static cfg_clausedef_t view_clauses[] = {
 	{ "stale-answer-enable", &cfg_type_boolean, 0 },
 	{ "stale-answer-ttl", &cfg_type_duration, 0 },
 	{ "stale-cache-enable", &cfg_type_boolean, 0 },
+	{ "stale-refresh-time", &cfg_type_duration, 0 },
 	{ "suppress-initial-notify", &cfg_type_boolean, CFG_CLAUSEFLAG_NYI },
 	{ "synth-from-dnssec", &cfg_type_boolean, 0 },
 	{ "topology", &cfg_type_bracketed_aml, CFG_CLAUSEFLAG_ANCIENT },
diff --git a/lib/ns/query.c b/lib/ns/query.c
index fd4c7fb9c7..33c7b6a2db 100644
--- a/lib/ns/query.c
+++ b/lib/ns/query.c
@@ -5523,6 +5523,9 @@ query_lookup(query_ctx_t *qctx) {
 	dns_clientinfo_t ci;
 	dns_name_t *rpzqname = NULL;
 	unsigned int dboptions;
+	dns_ttl_t stale_ttl = 0;
+	dns_ttl_t stale_refresh = 0;
+	bool dbfind_stale = false;
 
 	CCTRACE(ISC_LOG_DEBUG(3), "query_lookup");
 
@@ -5581,6 +5584,22 @@ query_lookup(query_ctx_t *qctx) {
 		dboptions |= DNS_DBFIND_COVERINGNSEC;
 	}
 
+	dns_db_getservestalerefresh(qctx->client->view->cachedb,
+				    &stale_refresh);
+	dns_db_getservestalettl(qctx->client->view->cachedb, &stale_ttl);
+	if (stale_refresh > 0) {
+		if (qctx->client->view->staleanswersok == dns_stale_answer_yes)
+		{
+			dboptions |= DNS_DBFIND_STALEENABLED;
+		} else if (qctx->client->view->staleanswersok ==
+			   dns_stale_answer_conf) {
+			if (qctx->client->view->staleanswersenable &&
+			    stale_ttl > 0) {
+				dboptions |= DNS_DBFIND_STALEENABLED;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	result = dns_db_findext(qctx->db, rpzqname, qctx->version, qctx->type,
 				dboptions, qctx->client->now, &qctx->node,
 				qctx->fname, &cm, &ci, qctx->rdataset,
@@ -5601,10 +5620,28 @@ query_lookup(query_ctx_t *qctx) {
 		dns_cache_updatestats(qctx->view->cache, result);
 	}
 
-	if ((qctx->client->query.dboptions & DNS_DBFIND_STALEOK) != 0) {
+	/*
+	 * If DNS_DBFIND_STALEOK is set this means we are dealing with a
+	 * lookup following a failed lookup and it is okay to serve a stale
+	 * answer. This will start a time window in rbtdb, tracking the last
+	 * time the RRset lookup failed.
+	 *
+	 * A stale answer may also be served if this is a normal lookup,
+	 * the view has enabled serve-stale (DNS_DBFIND_STALE_ENABLED is set),
+	 * and the request is within the stale-refresh-time window. If this
+	 * is the case we have to make sure that the lookup found a stale
+	 * answer, otherwise "fresh" answers are also treated as stale.
+	 */
+	dbfind_stale = ((dboptions & DNS_DBFIND_STALEOK) != 0);
+	if (dbfind_stale != 0 ||
+	    (((dboptions & DNS_DBFIND_STALEENABLED) != 0) &&
+	     STALE(qctx->rdataset)))
+	{
 		char namebuf[DNS_NAME_FORMATSIZE];
 		bool success;
 
+		inc_stats(qctx->client, ns_statscounter_trystale);
+
 		qctx->client->query.dboptions &= ~DNS_DBFIND_STALEOK;
 		if (dns_rdataset_isassociated(qctx->rdataset) &&
 		    dns_rdataset_count(qctx->rdataset) > 0 &&
@@ -5618,10 +5655,20 @@ query_lookup(query_ctx_t *qctx) {
 
 		dns_name_format(qctx->client->query.qname, namebuf,
 				sizeof(namebuf));
-		isc_log_write(ns_lctx, NS_LOGCATEGORY_SERVE_STALE,
-			      NS_LOGMODULE_QUERY, ISC_LOG_INFO,
-			      "%s resolver failure, stale answer %s", namebuf,
-			      success ? "used" : "unavailable");
+		if (dbfind_stale) {
+			isc_log_write(ns_lctx, NS_LOGCATEGORY_SERVE_STALE,
+				      NS_LOGMODULE_QUERY, ISC_LOG_INFO,
+				      "%s resolver failure, stale answer %s",
+				      namebuf,
+				      success ? "used" : "unavailable");
+		} else {
+			isc_log_write(ns_lctx, NS_LOGCATEGORY_SERVE_STALE,
+				      NS_LOGMODULE_QUERY, ISC_LOG_INFO,
+				      "%s query within stale refresh time, "
+				      "stale answer %s",
+				      namebuf,
+				      success ? "used" : "unavailable");
+		}
 
 		if (!success) {
 			QUERY_ERROR(qctx, DNS_R_SERVFAIL);
@@ -6833,7 +6880,6 @@ query_usestale(query_ctx_t *qctx) {
 
 	if (staleanswersok) {
 		qctx->client->query.dboptions |= DNS_DBFIND_STALEOK;
-		inc_stats(qctx->client, ns_statscounter_trystale);
 		if (qctx->client->query.fetch != NULL) {
 			dns_resolver_destroyfetch(&qctx->client->query.fetch);
 		}