diff --git a/kdc/connect.c b/kdc/connect.c
index a39dd6509..975f24cb2 100644
--- a/kdc/connect.c
+++ b/kdc/connect.c
@@ -291,6 +291,7 @@ init_socket(krb5_context context,
 	d->s = rk_INVALID_SOCKET;
 	return;
     }
+    socket_set_keepalive(d->s, 1);
 }
 
 /*