diff --git a/request.go b/request.go
index 6945fd7b..9a679e24 100644
--- a/request.go
+++ b/request.go
@@ -139,13 +139,15 @@ func (cli *Client) sendIQAsync(query infoQuery) (<-chan *waBinary.Node, error) {
 	return ch, err
 }
 
+const defaultRequestTimeout = 75 * time.Second
+
 func (cli *Client) sendIQ(query infoQuery) (*waBinary.Node, error) {
 	resChan, data, err := cli.sendIQAsyncAndGetData(&query)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	if query.Timeout == 0 {
-		query.Timeout = 75 * time.Second
+		query.Timeout = defaultRequestTimeout
 	}
 	if query.Context == nil {
 		query.Context = context.Background()
diff --git a/send.go b/send.go
index 3bbb777d..26f786d7 100644
--- a/send.go
+++ b/send.go
@@ -104,6 +104,10 @@ type SendRequestExtra struct {
 	ID types.MessageID
 	// Should the message be sent as a peer message (protocol messages to your own devices, e.g. app state key requests)
 	Peer bool
+	// A timeout for the send request. Unlike timeouts using the context parameter, this only applies
+	// to the actual response waiting and not preparing/encrypting the message.
+	// Defaults to 75 seconds. The timeout can be disabled by using a negative value.
+	Timeout time.Duration
 }
 
 // SendMessage sends the given message.
@@ -148,6 +152,9 @@ func (cli *Client) SendMessage(ctx context.Context, to types.JID, message *waPro
 		return
 	}
 
+	if req.Timeout == 0 {
+		req.Timeout = defaultRequestTimeout
+	}
 	if len(req.ID) == 0 {
 		req.ID = cli.GenerateMessageID()
 	}
@@ -202,9 +209,20 @@ func (cli *Client) SendMessage(ctx context.Context, to types.JID, message *waPro
 		return
 	}
 	var respNode *waBinary.Node
+	var timeoutChan <-chan time.Time
+	if req.Timeout > 0 {
+		timeoutChan = time.After(req.Timeout)
+	} else {
+		timeoutChan = make(<-chan time.Time)
+	}
 	select {
 	case respNode = <-respChan:
+	case <-timeoutChan:
+		cli.cancelResponse(req.ID, respChan)
+		err = ErrMessageTimedOut
+		return
 	case <-ctx.Done():
+		cli.cancelResponse(req.ID, respChan)
 		err = ctx.Err()
 		return
 	}