diff --git a/hc/api/models.py b/hc/api/models.py
index 8dd38195..25e16721 100644
--- a/hc/api/models.py
+++ b/hc/api/models.py
@@ -118,8 +118,13 @@ class Channel(models.Model):
             emails.alert(self.value, ctx)
             n.save()
         elif self.kind == "webhook" and check.status == "down":
-            r = requests.get(self.value)
-            n.status = r.status_code
+            try:
+                r = requests.get(self.value, timeout=5)
+                n.status = r.status_code
+            except requests.exceptions.Timeout:
+                # Well, we tried
+                pass
+
             n.save()
         elif self.kind == "pd":
             if check.status == "down":
diff --git a/hc/api/tests/test_notify.py b/hc/api/tests/test_notify.py
index 8d5fd745..74c229a9 100644
--- a/hc/api/tests/test_notify.py
+++ b/hc/api/tests/test_notify.py
@@ -1,14 +1,15 @@
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from django.test import TestCase
 from mock import patch
+from requests.exceptions import ReadTimeout
 
-from hc.api.models import Channel, Check
+from hc.api.models import Channel, Check, Notification
 
 
 class NotifyTestCase(TestCase):
 
-    @patch("hc.api.models.requests")
-    def test_webhook(self, mock_requests):
+    @patch("hc.api.models.requests.get")
+    def test_webhook(self, mock_get):
         alice = User(username="alice")
         alice.save()
 
@@ -21,4 +22,21 @@ class NotifyTestCase(TestCase):
         channel.checks.add(check)
 
         channel.notify(check)
-        mock_requests.get.assert_called_with(u"http://example")
+        mock_get.assert_called_with(u"http://example", timeout=5)
+
+    @patch("hc.api.models.requests.get", side_effect=ReadTimeout)
+    def test_it_handles_requests_exceptions(self, mock_get):
+        alice = User(username="alice")
+        alice.save()
+
+        check = Check()
+        check.status = "down"
+        check.save()
+
+        channel = Channel(user=alice, kind="webhook", value="http://example")
+        channel.save()
+        channel.checks.add(check)
+
+        channel.notify(check)
+
+        assert Notification.objects.count() == 1