diff --git a/netconf_client/connect.py b/netconf_client/connect.py
index 06a4df2..726a520 100644
--- a/netconf_client/connect.py
+++ b/netconf_client/connect.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def connect_ssh(
     hostkey = _try_load_hostkey_b64(hostkey_b64) if hostkey_b64 else None
     transport.connect(username=username, password=password, pkey=pkey)
     try:
-        channel = transport.open_session()
+        channel = transport.open_session(timeout=general_timeout)
     except Exception:
         transport.close()
         raise
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index d2d91f3..7106689 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [tool.poetry]
 name = "netconf_client"
-version = "3.1.1"
+version = "3.1.2"
 description = "A Python NETCONF client"
 authors = ["ADTRAN, Inc."]
 license = "Apache-2.0"