Modular gain control based on blocker signal detection is disclosed herein. In a multi-stage gain control scheme for a receiver, the input stage gain or the pre-mixing stage gain can be controlled for effective blocker rejection based on detecting a blocker signal at a mixer, and the output stage gain or the post-mixing stage gain can be controlled to restore and maintain an appropriate output level after pre-mixing gain reduction performed for blocker rejection. Accordingly, the RF communication systems herein can include multiple loops for providing AGC. In particular, an RF communication system can include a main loop and a blocker loop used to override the main loop when the blocker signal is detected. In certain configurations, the blocker loop reduces the gain of an RF VGA, while the main loop will increase the gain of an IF VGA to restore the output power.