diff --git a/src/interfaces/mining.h b/src/interfaces/mining.h
index 1fb791aedbe91a..20fee7703028da 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/mining.h
+++ b/src/interfaces/mining.h
@@ -75,9 +75,9 @@ class Mining
      * Waits for fees in the next block to rise, a new tip or the timeout.
      *
      * @param[in] current_tip   block hash that the most recent template builds on
-     * @param[in] fee_threshold how far total fees for the next block should rise (currently ignored)
+     * @param[in] fee_threshold how far total fees for the next block should rise
      * @param[in] options       currently ignored: options for creating the block, should match those
-     *                          passed to createNewBlock (currently ignored)
+     *                          passed to createNewBlock
      *
      * @returns true if fees increased, false if a new tip arrives or the timeout occurs
      */
diff --git a/src/node/interfaces.cpp b/src/node/interfaces.cpp
index 182fb35b015ecd..66c01f4a9d972d 100644
--- a/src/node/interfaces.cpp
+++ b/src/node/interfaces.cpp
@@ -968,6 +968,9 @@ class MinerImpl : public Mining
 
         BlockAssembler::Options assemble_options{options};
         ApplyArgsManOptions(*Assert(m_node.args), assemble_options);
+        // It's not necessary to verify the template, since we don't return it.
+        // This is also faster.
+        assemble_options.test_block_validity = false;
 
         while (!chainman().m_interrupt) {
             now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
@@ -977,9 +980,18 @@ class MinerImpl : public Mining
                 return false;
             }
 
-            // TODO: when cluster mempool is available, actually calculate
-            // fees for the next block. This is currently too expensive.
-            if (context()->mempool->GetTransactionsUpdated() > last_mempool_update) return true;
+            // Did anything change at all?
+            if (context()->mempool->GetTransactionsUpdated() != last_mempool_update) {
+                auto block_template{BlockAssembler{chainman().ActiveChainstate(), context()->mempool.get(), assemble_options}.CreateNewBlock(CScript())};
+
+                CAmount fees = 0;
+                for (CAmount fee : block_template->vTxFees) {
+                    // Skip coinbase
+                    if (fee < 0) continue;
+                    fees += fee;
+                    if (fees >= fee_threshold) return true;
+                }
+            }
 
             std::this_thread::sleep_until(std::min(deadline, now + tick));
         }