diff --git a/lib/pure/net.nim b/lib/pure/net.nim
index 083e70c8da..9215a18128 100644
--- a/lib/pure/net.nim
+++ b/lib/pure/net.nim
@@ -1145,7 +1145,11 @@ proc recv*(socket: Socket, data: var string, size: int, timeout = -1,
   ##
   ## **Warning**: Only the ``SafeDisconn`` flag is currently supported.
   data.setLen(size)
-  result = recv(socket, cstring(data), size, timeout)
+  result =
+    if timeout == -1:
+      recv(socket, cstring(data), size)
+    else:
+      recv(socket, cstring(data), size, timeout)
   if result < 0:
     data.setLen(0)
     let lastError = getSocketError(socket)