diff --git a/webssh/handler.py b/webssh/handler.py
index 9b65d1d..0470cf5 100644
--- a/webssh/handler.py
+++ b/webssh/handler.py
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ class IndexHandler(MixinHandler, tornado.web.RequestHandler):
         logging.info('Connecting to {}:{}'.format(*dst_addr))
 
         try:
-            ssh.connect(*args, timeout=options.timeout)
+            ssh.connect(*args, timeout=options.timeout, auth_timeout=options.auth_timeout,)
         except socket.error:
             raise ValueError('Unable to connect to {}:{}'.format(*dst_addr))
         except paramiko.BadAuthenticationType: