diff --git a/lbrynet/core/LBRYcrdWallet.py b/lbrynet/core/LBRYcrdWallet.py
index 9123c886e..922246714 100644
--- a/lbrynet/core/LBRYcrdWallet.py
+++ b/lbrynet/core/LBRYcrdWallet.py
@@ -835,6 +835,7 @@ class LBRYumWallet(LBRYWallet):
         self.wallet = None
         self.cmd_runner = None
         self.first_run = False
+        self.printed_retrieving_headers = False
 
     def _start(self):
 
@@ -843,15 +844,20 @@ class LBRYumWallet(LBRYWallet):
         def setup_network():
             self.config = SimpleConfig()
             self.network = Network(self.config)
+            alert.info("Starting the wallet...")
             return defer.succeed(self.network.start())
 
         d = setup_network()
 
         def check_started():
             if self.network.is_connecting():
+                if not self.printed_retrieving_headers and self.network.blockchain.retrieving_headers:
+                    alert.info("Running the wallet for the first time...this may take a moment.")
+                    self.printed_retrieving_headers = True
                 return False
             start_check.stop()
             if self.network.is_connected():
+                alert.info("Wallet started.")
                 network_start_d.callback(True)
             else:
                 network_start_d.errback(ValueError("Failed to connect to network."))