diff --git a/nucypher/network/decryption.py b/nucypher/network/decryption.py
index 6301101ad..9e743c26d 100644
--- a/nucypher/network/decryption.py
+++ b/nucypher/network/decryption.py
@@ -47,7 +47,9 @@ class ThresholdDecryptionClient(ThresholdAccessControlClient):
                 node_or_sprout.mature()
                 response = (
                     self._learner.network_middleware.get_encrypted_decryption_share(
-                        node_or_sprout, bytes(encrypted_request)
+                        ursula=node_or_sprout,
+                        decryption_request_bytes=bytes(encrypted_request),
+                        timeout=timeout,
                     )
                 )
                 if response.status_code == 200:
diff --git a/nucypher/network/middleware.py b/nucypher/network/middleware.py
index 5b090b92b..bbc9b6079 100644
--- a/nucypher/network/middleware.py
+++ b/nucypher/network/middleware.py
@@ -253,23 +253,23 @@ class RestMiddleware:
         )
         return response
 
-    def reencrypt(self, ursula: 'Ursula', reencryption_request_bytes: bytes):
+    def reencrypt(self, ursula: "Ursula", reencryption_request_bytes: bytes, timeout=8):
         response = self.client.post(
             node_or_sprout=ursula,
             path=f"reencrypt",
             data=reencryption_request_bytes,
-            timeout=2
+            timeout=timeout,
         )
         return response
 
     def get_encrypted_decryption_share(
-        self, ursula: "Ursula", decryption_request_bytes: bytes
+        self, ursula: "Ursula", decryption_request_bytes: bytes, timeout=8
     ):
         response = self.client.post(
             node_or_sprout=ursula,
             path=f"decrypt",
             data=decryption_request_bytes,
-            timeout=8
+            timeout=timeout,
         )
         return response