diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2626fe1774..0b74f59713 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ LimitNOFILE=infinity
 LimitNPROC=infinity
 LimitCORE=infinity
 TasksMax=infinity
-TimeoutStartSec=infinity
+TimeoutStartSec=0
 
 [Install]
 WantedBy=multi-user.target
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index baa7703672..f023ef59ef 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ LimitNOFILE=infinity
 LimitNPROC=infinity
 LimitCORE=infinity
 TasksMax=infinity
-TimeoutStartSec=infinity
+TimeoutStartSec=0
 
 [Install]
 WantedBy=multi-user.target
diff --git a/k3s.service b/k3s.service
index 77d170f50a..c30850295c 100644
--- a/k3s.service
+++ b/k3s.service
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ LimitNOFILE=infinity
 LimitNPROC=infinity
 LimitCORE=infinity
 TasksMax=infinity
-TimeoutStartSec=infinity
+TimeoutStartSec=0
 
 [Install]
 WantedBy=multi-user.target