diff --git a/config/discourse_defaults.conf b/config/discourse_defaults.conf
index 12afa2245a6..6da530c043d 100644
--- a/config/discourse_defaults.conf
+++ b/config/discourse_defaults.conf
@@ -234,11 +234,15 @@ max_logster_logs = 1000
 
 # during precompile update maxmind database if older than N days
 # set to 0 to disable
-refresh_maxmind_db_during_precompile_days = 30
+refresh_maxmind_db_during_precompile_days = 2
 
 # backup path containing maxmind db files
 maxmind_backup_path =
 
+# register an account at: https://www.maxmind.com/en/geolite2/signup
+# then head to profile and get your license key
+maxmind_license_key=
+
 # when enabled the following headers will be added to every response:
 # (note, if measurements do not exist for the header they will be omitted)
 #
diff --git a/lib/discourse_ip_info.rb b/lib/discourse_ip_info.rb
index 75853c10f20..50c5d3854f2 100644
--- a/lib/discourse_ip_info.rb
+++ b/lib/discourse_ip_info.rb
@@ -25,10 +25,19 @@ class DiscourseIpInfo
   end
 
   def self.mmdb_download(name)
+
+    if GlobalSetting.maxmind_license_key.blank?
+      STDERR.puts "MaxMind IP database updates require a license"
+      STDERR.puts "Please set DISCOURSE_MAXMIND_LICENSE_KEY to one you generated at https://www.maxmind.com"
+      return
+    end
+
     FileUtils.mkdir_p(path)
 
+    url = "https://download.maxmind.com/app/geoip_download?license_key=#{GlobalSetting.maxmind_license_key}&edition_id=#{name}&suffix=tar.gz"
+
     gz_file = FileHelper.download(
-      "https://geolite.maxmind.com/geoip/databases/#{name}/update",
+      url,
       max_file_size: 100.megabytes,
       tmp_file_name: "#{name}.gz",
       validate_uri: false,