diff --git a/libp2p/pubsub/gossipsub.py b/libp2p/pubsub/gossipsub.py
index 9f26865c..a8ffae7e 100644
--- a/libp2p/pubsub/gossipsub.py
+++ b/libp2p/pubsub/gossipsub.py
@@ -735,7 +735,7 @@ class GossipSub(IPubsubRouter, Service):
         :param topic: topic to check
         :return: True if the peer is in back off, False otherwise
         """
-        if topic not in self.back_off:
+        if topic not in self.back_off or peer not in self.back_off[topic]:
             return False
         if self.back_off[topic].get(peer, 0) > int(time.time()):
             return True
diff --git a/tests/core/pubsub/test_gossipsub.py b/tests/core/pubsub/test_gossipsub.py
index 9a767608..03276a78 100644
--- a/tests/core/pubsub/test_gossipsub.py
+++ b/tests/core/pubsub/test_gossipsub.py
@@ -292,7 +292,9 @@ async def test_fanout():
 @pytest.mark.trio
 @pytest.mark.slow
 async def test_fanout_maintenance():
-    async with PubsubFactory.create_batch_with_gossipsub(10) as pubsubs_gsub:
+    async with PubsubFactory.create_batch_with_gossipsub(
+        10, unsubscribe_back_off=1
+    ) as pubsubs_gsub:
         hosts = [pubsub.host for pubsub in pubsubs_gsub]
         num_msgs = 5
 
diff --git a/tests/core/pubsub/test_gossipsub_px_and_backoff.py b/tests/core/pubsub/test_gossipsub_px_and_backoff.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a47aa3ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/core/pubsub/test_gossipsub_px_and_backoff.py
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+import pytest
+import trio
+
+from libp2p.pubsub.gossipsub import (
+    GossipSub,
+)
+from libp2p.tools.utils import (
+    connect,
+)
+from tests.utils.factories import (
+    PubsubFactory,
+)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.trio
+async def test_prune_backoff():
+    async with PubsubFactory.create_batch_with_gossipsub(
+        2, heartbeat_interval=0.5, prune_back_off=2
+    ) as pubsubs:
+        gsub0 = pubsubs[0].router
+        gsub1 = pubsubs[1].router
+        assert isinstance(gsub0, GossipSub)
+        assert isinstance(gsub1, GossipSub)
+        host_0 = pubsubs[0].host
+        host_1 = pubsubs[1].host
+
+        topic = "test_prune_backoff"
+
+        # connect hosts
+        await connect(host_0, host_1)
+        await trio.sleep(0.5)
+
+        # both join the topic
+        await gsub0.join(topic)
+        await gsub1.join(topic)
+        await gsub0.emit_graft(topic, host_1.get_id())
+        await trio.sleep(0.5)
+
+        # ensure peer is registered in mesh
+        assert host_0.get_id() in gsub1.mesh[topic]
+
+        # prune host_1 from gsub0's mesh
+        await gsub0.emit_prune(topic, host_1.get_id(), False, False)
+        await trio.sleep(0.5)
+
+        # host_0 should not be in gsub1's mesh
+        assert host_0.get_id() not in gsub1.mesh[topic]
+
+        # try to graft again immediately (should be rejected due to backoff)
+        await gsub0.emit_graft(topic, host_1.get_id())
+        await trio.sleep(0.5)
+        assert host_0.get_id() not in gsub1.mesh[topic], (
+            "peer should be backoffed and not re-added"
+        )
+
+        # try to graft again (should succeed after backoff)
+        await trio.sleep(2)
+        await gsub0.emit_graft(topic, host_1.get_id())
+        await trio.sleep(1)
+        assert host_0.get_id() in gsub1.mesh[topic], (
+            "peer should be able to rejoin after backoff"
+        )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.trio
+async def test_unsubscribe_backoff():
+    async with PubsubFactory.create_batch_with_gossipsub(
+        2, heartbeat_interval=1, prune_back_off=1, unsubscribe_back_off=2
+    ) as pubsubs:
+        gsub0 = pubsubs[0].router
+        gsub1 = pubsubs[1].router
+        assert isinstance(gsub0, GossipSub)
+        assert isinstance(gsub1, GossipSub)
+        host_0 = pubsubs[0].host
+        host_1 = pubsubs[1].host
+
+        topic = "test_unsubscribe_backoff"
+
+        # connect hosts
+        await connect(host_0, host_1)
+        await trio.sleep(0.5)
+
+        # both join the topic
+        await gsub0.join(topic)
+        await gsub1.join(topic)
+        await gsub0.emit_graft(topic, host_1.get_id())
+        await trio.sleep(0.5)
+
+        # ensure peer is registered in mesh
+        assert host_0.get_id() in gsub1.mesh[topic]
+
+        # host_1 unsubscribes from the topic
+        await gsub1.leave(topic)
+        await trio.sleep(0.5)
+        assert topic not in gsub1.mesh
+
+        # host_1 resubscribes to the topic
+        await gsub1.join(topic)
+        await trio.sleep(0.5)
+        assert topic in gsub1.mesh
+
+        # try to graft again immediately (should be rejected due to backoff)
+        await gsub0.emit_graft(topic, host_1.get_id())
+        await trio.sleep(0.5)
+        assert host_0.get_id() not in gsub1.mesh[topic], (
+            "peer should be backoffed and not re-added"
+        )
+
+        # try to graft again (should succeed after backoff)
+        await trio.sleep(1)
+        await gsub0.emit_graft(topic, host_1.get_id())
+        await trio.sleep(1)
+        assert host_0.get_id() in gsub1.mesh[topic], (
+            "peer should be able to rejoin after backoff"
+        )