diff --git a/aider/main.py b/aider/main.py
index 2a48b4301..985e863cb 100644
--- a/aider/main.py
+++ b/aider/main.py
@@ -467,6 +467,10 @@ def main(argv=None, input=None, output=None, force_git_root=None, return_coder=F
         litellm._lazy_module.client_session = httpx.Client(verify=False)
         litellm._lazy_module.aclient_session = httpx.AsyncClient(verify=False)
 
+    if args.timeout:
+        litellm._load_litellm()
+        litellm._lazy_module.request_timeout = args.timeout
+
     if args.dark_mode:
         args.user_input_color = "#32FF32"
         args.tool_error_color = "#FF3333"