diff --git a/onionr/communicator.py b/onionr/communicator.py
index b245b4de..acd749f0 100755
--- a/onionr/communicator.py
+++ b/onionr/communicator.py
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ class OnionrCommunicatorDaemon:
     def detectAPICrash(self):
         '''exit if the api server crashes/stops'''
         if self._core._utils.localCommand('ping', silent=False) not in ('pong', 'pong!'):
-            for i in range(20):
+            for i in range(300):
                 if self._core._utils.localCommand('ping') in ('pong', 'pong!') or self.shutdown:
                     break # break for loop
                 time.sleep(1)