diff --git a/src/modules/SX126x/SX126x.cpp b/src/modules/SX126x/SX126x.cpp
index bddf8bec..7defbbcb 100644
--- a/src/modules/SX126x/SX126x.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/SX126x/SX126x.cpp
@@ -203,8 +203,8 @@ int16_t SX126x::transmit(const uint8_t* data, size_t len, uint8_t addr) {
     return(RADIOLIB_ERR_PACKET_TOO_LONG);
   }
 
-  // calculate timeout in ms (500% of expected time-on-air)
-  RadioLibTime_t timeout = (getTimeOnAir(len) * 5) / 1000;
+  // calculate timeout in ms (5ms + 500 % of expected time-on-air)
+  RadioLibTime_t timeout = 5 + (getTimeOnAir(len) * 5) / 1000;
   RADIOLIB_DEBUG_BASIC_PRINTLN("Timeout in %lu ms", timeout);
 
   // start transmission