diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/config.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/config.sgml
index 47b12c6a8f4..886632ff439 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/config.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/config.sgml
@@ -4209,7 +4209,8 @@ ANY <replaceable class="parameter">num_sync</replaceable> ( <replaceable class="
        </para>
        <para>
         This parameter is intended for use with streaming replication deployments;
-        however, if the parameter is specified it will be honored in all cases.
+        however, if the parameter is specified it will be honored in all cases
+        except crash recovery.
 
         <varname>hot_standby_feedback</varname> will be delayed by use of this feature
         which could lead to bloat on the master; use both together with care.
diff --git a/src/backend/access/transam/xlog.c b/src/backend/access/transam/xlog.c
index 0ff9af53fef..0378b870bdc 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/transam/xlog.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/transam/xlog.c
@@ -5977,6 +5977,10 @@ recoveryApplyDelay(XLogReaderState *record)
 	if (!reachedConsistency)
 		return false;
 
+	/* nothing to do if crash recovery is requested */
+	if (!ArchiveRecoveryRequested)
+		return false;
+
 	/*
 	 * Is it a COMMIT record?
 	 *