diff --git a/zzz_evobackup b/zzz_evobackup
index 9732cbb..e2a20a0 100755
--- a/zzz_evobackup
+++ b/zzz_evobackup
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ SERVERS="node0.backup.example.com:2XXX node1.backup.example.com:2XXX"
 SERVERS_FALLBACK=${SERVERS_FALLBACK:-1}
 
 # timeout (in seconds) for SSH connections
-SSH_CONNECT_TIMEOUT=30
+SSH_CONNECT_TIMEOUT=${SSH_CONNECT_TIMEOUT:-30}
 
 ## We use /home/backup : feel free to use your own dir
 LOCAL_BACKUP_DIR="/home/backup"