Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A base station may determine to operate in accordance with an energy saving mode in which the base station only transmits remaining minimum system information (RMSI) on-demand or reduces transmission of RMSI with respect to when the base station is operating outside of the energy saving mode. A user equipment (UE) may detect the base station that is operating in an energy saving mode. The UE may transmit a request for the base station to transmit the RMSI to the UE, where the UE may transmit the request to the energy saving base station or to a serving base station of the UE. The UE may receive, from the base station operating in the energy saving mode and responsive to the request, a message including the remaining minimum system information.