diff --git a/freqtrade/exchange/exchange.py b/freqtrade/exchange/exchange.py
index 659ff59bc..baa379db1 100644
--- a/freqtrade/exchange/exchange.py
+++ b/freqtrade/exchange/exchange.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class Exchange:
 
         logger.info('Using Exchange "%s"', self.name)
 
-        if validate:
+        if validate and not exchange_config.get('skip_validation'):
             # Check if timeframe is available
             self.validate_timeframes(config.get('timeframe'))