diff --git a/src/ert/ensemble_evaluator/sync_ws_duplexer.py b/src/ert/ensemble_evaluator/sync_ws_duplexer.py
index c67cfcdb194..a9fbce99bee 100644
--- a/src/ert/ensemble_evaluator/sync_ws_duplexer.py
+++ b/src/ert/ensemble_evaluator/sync_ws_duplexer.py
@@ -74,16 +74,14 @@ async def _connect(self) -> None:
             extra_headers=self._extra_headers,
             max_size=2**26,
             max_queue=500,
-            open_timeout=60,
+            open_timeout=5,
             ping_timeout=60,
             ping_interval=60,
             close_timeout=60,
         )
 
         await wait_for_evaluator(
-            base_url=self._hc_uri,
-            token=self._token,
-            cert=self._cert,
+            base_url=self._hc_uri, token=self._token, cert=self._cert, timeout=5
         )
 
         self._ws = await connect