diff --git a/skyrl/tinker/extra/skyrl_train_inference_forwarding.py b/skyrl/tinker/extra/skyrl_train_inference_forwarding.py
index 321fdd212e..eb908f4314 100644
--- a/skyrl/tinker/extra/skyrl_train_inference_forwarding.py
+++ b/skyrl/tinker/extra/skyrl_train_inference_forwarding.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def __init__(self, engine_config: EngineConfig, db_engine):
                 connect=10.0,
                 read=engine_config.forwarding_inference_timeout_sec,
                 write=300.0,
-                pool=300.0,
+                pool=engine_config.forwarding_inference_timeout_sec,
             ),
             limits=httpx.Limits(
                 max_connections=max_conn,
diff --git a/tests/tinker/test_inference_forwarding_config.py b/tests/tinker/test_inference_forwarding_config.py
index 091a49efb3..add902df80 100644
--- a/tests/tinker/test_inference_forwarding_config.py
+++ b/tests/tinker/test_inference_forwarding_config.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def test_forwarding_timeout_reads_environment(monkeypatch) -> None:
     assert config.forwarding_inference_timeout_sec == 1800.0
 
 
-def test_forwarding_client_uses_configured_timeout() -> None:
+def test_forwarding_client_uses_configured_read_and_pool_timeout() -> None:
     config = EngineConfig(
         base_model="test-model",
         forwarding_inference_timeout_sec=1800.0,
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def test_forwarding_client_uses_configured_timeout() -> None:
     assert timeout.connect == 10.0
     assert timeout.read == 1800.0
     assert timeout.write == 300.0
-    assert timeout.pool == 300.0
+    assert timeout.pool == 1800.0
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio