diff --git a/py_clob_client/client.py b/py_clob_client/client.py
index e6be3c56..5e8c9ade 100644
--- a/py_clob_client/client.py
+++ b/py_clob_client/client.py
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@
 )
 from .exceptions import PolyException
 from .http_helpers.helpers import (
+    set_http_timeout,
     add_query_trade_params,
     add_query_open_orders_params,
     delete,
@@ -124,6 +125,7 @@ def __init__(
         funder: str = None,
         builder_config: BuilderConfig = None,
         tick_size_ttl: float = 300.0,
+        timeout: float = None,
     ):
         """
         Initializes the clob client
@@ -143,6 +145,9 @@ def __init__(
         self.creds = creds
         self.mode = self._get_client_mode()
 
+        if timeout is not None:
+            set_http_timeout(timeout)
+
         if self.signer:
             self.builder = OrderBuilder(
                 self.signer, sig_type=signature_type, funder=funder
diff --git a/py_clob_client/http_helpers/helpers.py b/py_clob_client/http_helpers/helpers.py
index 7b47cd63..f30965bc 100644
--- a/py_clob_client/http_helpers/helpers.py
+++ b/py_clob_client/http_helpers/helpers.py
@@ -19,6 +19,14 @@
 _http_client = httpx.Client(http2=True)
 
 
+def set_http_timeout(timeout: float) -> None:
+    """
+    Reconfigure the module-level HTTP client with a custom timeout (in seconds).
+    """
+    global _http_client
+    _http_client = httpx.Client(http2=True, timeout=timeout)
+
+
 def overloadHeaders(method: str, headers: dict) -> dict:
     if headers is None:
         headers = dict()
@@ -61,8 +69,8 @@ def request(endpoint: str, method: str, headers=None, data=None):
         except ValueError:
             return resp.text
 
-    except httpx.RequestError:
-        raise PolyApiException(error_msg="Request exception!")
+    except httpx.RequestError as exc:
+        raise PolyApiException(error_msg=f"Request exception: {exc}") from exc
 
 
 def post(endpoint, headers=None, data=None):