diff --git a/core/src/fetch_stage.rs b/core/src/fetch_stage.rs
index 6a2f1faf3161c0..a12f4e16100f6e 100644
--- a/core/src/fetch_stage.rs
+++ b/core/src/fetch_stage.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 use {
     crate::result::{Error, Result},
-    crossbeam_channel::{unbounded, RecvTimeoutError},
+    crossbeam_channel::{unbounded, RecvTimeoutError, TrySendError},
     solana_clock::{DEFAULT_TICKS_PER_SLOT, HOLD_TRANSACTIONS_SLOT_OFFSET},
     solana_metrics::{inc_new_counter_debug, inc_new_counter_info},
     solana_packet::PacketFlags,
@@ -124,12 +124,23 @@ impl FetchStage {
             .unwrap()
             .would_be_leader(HOLD_TRANSACTIONS_SLOT_OFFSET.saturating_mul(DEFAULT_TICKS_PER_SLOT))
         {
-            inc_new_counter_debug!("fetch_stage-honor_forwards", num_packets);
+            let mut packets_sent = 0usize;
+            let mut packets_dropped = 0usize;
             for packet_batch in packet_batches {
-                #[allow(clippy::question_mark)]
-                if sendr.send(packet_batch).is_err() {
-                    return Err(Error::Send);
-                }
+                let packets_in_batch = packet_batch.len();
+                match sendr.try_send(packet_batch) {
+                    Ok(()) => {
+                        packets_sent += packets_in_batch;
+                    }
+                    Err(TrySendError::Full(_)) => {
+                        packets_dropped += packets_in_batch;
+                    }
+                    Err(TrySendError::Disconnected(_)) => return Err(Error::Send),
+                };
+            }
+            inc_new_counter_debug!("fetch_stage-honor_forwards", packets_sent);
+            if packets_dropped > 0 {
+                inc_new_counter_error!("fetch_stage-dropped_forwards", packets_dropped);
             }
         } else {
             inc_new_counter_info!("fetch_stage-discard_forwards", num_packets);