diff --git a/cmd/blockchaincmd/deploy.go b/cmd/blockchaincmd/deploy.go
index d6d9713b8..80d22ab4e 100644
--- a/cmd/blockchaincmd/deploy.go
+++ b/cmd/blockchaincmd/deploy.go
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 
+	"golang.org/x/mod/semver"
+
 	validatorManagerSDK "github.com/ava-labs/avalanche-cli/sdk/validatormanager"
 
 	"github.com/ava-labs/avalanche-cli/pkg/blockchain"
@@ -472,6 +474,20 @@ func deployBlockchain(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 
 	ux.Logger.PrintToUser("Deploying %s to %s", chains, network.Name())
 
+	if network.Kind == models.Fuji && userProvidedAvagoVersion == constants.DefaultAvalancheGoVersion {
+		latestAvagoVersion, err := app.Downloader.GetLatestReleaseVersion(
+			constants.AvaLabsOrg,
+			constants.AvalancheGoRepoName,
+			"",
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		versionComparison := semver.Compare(constants.FujiAvalancheGoV113, latestAvagoVersion)
+		if versionComparison == 1 {
+			userProvidedAvagoVersion = constants.FujiAvalancheGoV113
+		}
+	}
 	if network.Kind == models.Local {
 		app.Log.Debug("Deploy local")
 
diff --git a/cmd/nodecmd/local.go b/cmd/nodecmd/local.go
index e4b39c1f9..f8bb8463a 100644
--- a/cmd/nodecmd/local.go
+++ b/cmd/nodecmd/local.go
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"golang.org/x/mod/semver"
+
 	"github.com/ava-labs/avalanche-cli/pkg/binutils"
 	"github.com/ava-labs/avalanche-cli/pkg/blockchain"
 	"github.com/ava-labs/avalanche-cli/pkg/cobrautils"
@@ -183,6 +185,21 @@ func localStartNode(_ *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		StakingCertKeyPath:   stakingCertKeyPath,
 		StakingTLSKeyPath:    stakingTLSKeyPath,
 	}
+	// TODO: remove this check for releases above v1.8.7, once v1.13.0-fuji avalanchego is latest release
+	if globalNetworkFlags.UseFuji && useCustomAvalanchegoVersion == "" {
+		latestAvagoVersion, err := app.Downloader.GetLatestReleaseVersion(
+			constants.AvaLabsOrg,
+			constants.AvalancheGoRepoName,
+			"",
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		versionComparison := semver.Compare(constants.FujiAvalancheGoV113, latestAvagoVersion)
+		if versionComparison == 1 {
+			useCustomAvalanchegoVersion = constants.FujiAvalancheGoV113
+		}
+	}
 	if useCustomAvalanchegoVersion != "" {
 		latestAvagoPreReleaseVersion = false
 		latestAvagoReleaseVersion = false
diff --git a/pkg/constants/constants.go b/pkg/constants/constants.go
index 69ac525bf..52e3911bc 100644
--- a/pkg/constants/constants.go
+++ b/pkg/constants/constants.go
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ const (
 
 	LatestPreReleaseVersionTag = "latest-prerelease"
 	LatestReleaseVersionTag    = "latest"
-	DefaultAvalancheGoVersion  = LatestPreReleaseVersionTag
+	DefaultAvalancheGoVersion  = LatestReleaseVersionTag
 
 	FujiAPIEndpoint    = "https://api.avax-test.network"
 	MainnetAPIEndpoint = "https://api.avax.network"
@@ -292,6 +292,7 @@ const (
 	NotAvailableLabel         = "Not available"
 	BackendCmd                = "avalanche-cli-backend"
 
+	FujiAvalancheGoV113          = "v1.13.0-fuji"
 	AvalancheGoCompatibilityURL  = "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ava-labs/avalanchego/master/version/compatibility.json"
 	SubnetEVMRPCCompatibilityURL = "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ava-labs/subnet-evm/master/compatibility.json"