diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index 677d01d..57f0cc9 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -141,6 +141,8 @@ exports.request = function (url, opts) {
       socket[READ_TIME_OUT] = readTimeout;
       socket[READ_TIMER] = timer;
       socket[READ_TIMER_START_AT] = Date.now();
+      // don't block the loop
+      timer.unref();
     };
 
     // string