diff --git a/llarp/link/server.cpp b/llarp/link/server.cpp
index 8cd6fac76..96774d8cc 100644
--- a/llarp/link/server.cpp
+++ b/llarp/link/server.cpp
@@ -297,7 +297,8 @@ namespace llarp
     auto itr   = range.first;
     while(itr != range.second)
     {
-      itr->second->SendKeepAlive();
+      if(itr->second->ShouldPing())
+        itr->second->SendKeepAlive();
       ++itr;
     }
   }
diff --git a/llarp/link/session.hpp b/llarp/link/session.hpp
index 685abaf09..c85fe7ae2 100644
--- a/llarp/link/session.hpp
+++ b/llarp/link/session.hpp
@@ -61,6 +61,9 @@ namespace llarp
 
     /// renegotiate session when we have a new RC locally
     std::function< bool(void) > RenegotiateSession;
+
+    /// return true if we should send an explicit keepalive message
+    std::function< bool(void) > ShouldPing;
   };
 }  // namespace llarp
 
diff --git a/llarp/link/utp.cpp b/llarp/link/utp.cpp
index ae030b35b..454cd56de 100644
--- a/llarp/link/utp.cpp
+++ b/llarp/link/utp.cpp
@@ -591,6 +591,11 @@ namespace llarp
 
       SendQueueBacklog = [&]() -> size_t { return sendq.size(); };
 
+      ShouldPing = [&]() -> bool {
+        auto dlt = lastActive - parent->Now();
+        return dlt >= 10000;
+      };
+
       SendKeepAlive = [&]() -> bool {
         if(state == eSessionReady)
         {