diff --git a/polkadot/node/network/dispute-distribution/src/receiver/mod.rs b/polkadot/node/network/dispute-distribution/src/receiver/mod.rs
index 2409e6994f60..77c1e41aac05 100644
--- a/polkadot/node/network/dispute-distribution/src/receiver/mod.rs
+++ b/polkadot/node/network/dispute-distribution/src/receiver/mod.rs
@@ -66,9 +66,12 @@ use self::{
 
 const COST_INVALID_REQUEST: Rep = Rep::CostMajor("Received message could not be decoded.");
 const COST_INVALID_SIGNATURE: Rep = Rep::Malicious("Signatures were invalid.");
-const COST_INVALID_IMPORT: Rep =
-	Rep::Malicious("Import was deemed invalid by dispute-coordinator.");
 const COST_NOT_A_VALIDATOR: Rep = Rep::CostMajor("Reporting peer was not a validator.");
+
+/// Invalid imports can be caused by flooding, e.g. by a disabled validator.
+const COST_INVALID_IMPORT: Rep =
+	Rep::CostMinor("Import was deemed invalid by dispute-coordinator.");
+
 /// Mildly punish peers exceeding their rate limit.
 ///
 /// For honest peers this should rarely happen, but if it happens we would not want to disconnect
diff --git a/prdoc/pr_5392.prdoc b/prdoc/pr_5392.prdoc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..aeeb05de0bc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/prdoc/pr_5392.prdoc
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+title: "Don't disconnect disabled nodes sending us dispute messages"
+
+doc:
+  - audience: Node Operator
+    description: |
+        No longer disconnect peers which we consider disabled when raising
+        disputes as this will affect the approval process and thus finality.
+
+crates:
+  - name: polkadot-dispute-distribution
+    bump: patch