diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 3ce4381..9b11c62 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -231,8 +231,9 @@ type SSHStdinserverConnect struct {
 
 type LocalConnect struct {
 	ConnectCommon  `yaml:",inline"`
-	ListenerName   string `yaml:"listener_name"`
-	ClientIdentity string `yaml:"client_identity"`
+	ListenerName   string        `yaml:"listener_name"`
+	ClientIdentity string        `yaml:"client_identity"`
+	DialTimeout    time.Duration `yaml:"dial_timeout,zeropositive,default=2s"`
 }
 
 type ServeEnum struct {
diff --git a/docs/configuration/transports.rst b/docs/configuration/transports.rst
index 075e918..e471006 100644
--- a/docs/configuration/transports.rst
+++ b/docs/configuration/transports.rst
@@ -345,5 +345,6 @@ The ``client_identity`` is used by the sink as documented above.
         type: local
         listener_name: localsink
         client_identity: local_backup
+        dial_timeout: 2s # optional, 0 for no timeout
       ...
 
diff --git a/transport/local/connect_local.go b/transport/local/connect_local.go
index fc1af56..ac82884 100644
--- a/transport/local/connect_local.go
+++ b/transport/local/connect_local.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 type LocalConnecter struct {
 	listenerName   string
 	clientIdentity string
+	dialTimeout    time.Duration
 }
 
 func LocalConnecterFromConfig(in *config.LocalConnect) (*LocalConnecter, error) {
@@ -21,13 +22,24 @@ func LocalConnecterFromConfig(in *config.LocalConnect) (*LocalConnecter, error)
 	if in.ListenerName == "" {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ListenerName must not be empty")
 	}
-	return &LocalConnecter{listenerName: in.ListenerName, clientIdentity: in.ClientIdentity}, nil
+	if in.DialTimeout < 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("DialTimeout must be zero or positive")
+	}
+	cn := &LocalConnecter{
+		listenerName:   in.ListenerName,
+		clientIdentity: in.ClientIdentity,
+		dialTimeout:    in.DialTimeout,
+	}
+	return cn, nil
 }
 
 func (c *LocalConnecter) Connect(dialCtx context.Context) (transport.Wire, error) {
 	l := GetLocalListener(c.listenerName)
-	dialCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(dialCtx, 1*time.Second) // fail fast, config error by user is very likely
-	defer cancel()
+	if c.dialTimeout > 0 {
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(dialCtx, c.dialTimeout)
+		defer cancel()
+		dialCtx = ctx // shadow
+	}
 	w, err := l.Connect(dialCtx, c.clientIdentity)
 	if err == context.DeadlineExceeded {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("local listener %q not reachable", c.listenerName)