diff --git a/includes/gateways/paypal/includes/class-wc-gateway-paypal-ipn-handler.php b/includes/gateways/paypal/includes/class-wc-gateway-paypal-ipn-handler.php
index da4435f2c23..2660e8af1a1 100644
--- a/includes/gateways/paypal/includes/class-wc-gateway-paypal-ipn-handler.php
+++ b/includes/gateways/paypal/includes/class-wc-gateway-paypal-ipn-handler.php
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class WC_Gateway_Paypal_IPN_Handler extends WC_Gateway_Paypal_Response {
 			$posted['payment_status'] = strtolower( $posted['payment_status'] );
 
 			// Sandbox fix.
-			if ( isset( $posted['test_ipn'] ) && 1 == $posted['test_ipn'] && 'pending' == $posted['payment_status'] ) {
+			if ( ( empty( $posted['pending_reason'] ) || 'authorization' !== $posted['pending_reason'] ) && isset( $posted['test_ipn'] ) && 1 == $posted['test_ipn'] && 'pending' == $posted['payment_status'] ) {
 				$posted['payment_status'] = 'completed';
 			}