diff --git a/setup/git_pre_commit_hook.py b/setup/git_pre_commit_hook.py
index 978983ca56..68940c1eec 100755
--- a/setup/git_pre_commit_hook.py
+++ b/setup/git_pre_commit_hook.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ message contains `Fix #number` or `Implement #number`. Also updates the commit
 message with the summary of the closed bug.
 
 '''
-import re, urllib, importlib, sys, json
+import re, urllib, importlib, sys, json, socket
 
 from lxml import html
 
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ LAUNCHPAD_BUG = 'https://bugs.launchpad.net/calibre/+bug/%s'
 GITHUB_BUG = 'https://api.github.com/repos/kovidgoyal/calibre/issues/%s'
 BUG_PAT = r'(Fix|Implement|Fixes|Fixed|Implemented|See)\s+#(\d+)'
 
+socket.setdefaulttimeout(90)
+
 class Bug:
 
     def __init__(self):