diff --git a/scripts/initiate_ritual.py b/scripts/initiate_ritual.py
index 323d327c..1908c402 100644
--- a/scripts/initiate_ritual.py
+++ b/scripts/initiate_ritual.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/python3
 
 import click
+from ape import chain
 from ape.cli import ConnectedProviderCommand, account_option, network_option
 
 from deployment import registry
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@
     "-t",
     help="Duration of the ritual in seconds. Must be at least 24h.",
     type=MinInt(86400),
-    required=True,
+    required=False,
 )
 @click.option(
     "--access-controller",
@@ -105,6 +106,31 @@ def cli(
             message="Cannot specify --min-version when using --handpicked.",
         )
 
+    # Get the contracts from the registry
+    coordinator_contract = registry.get_contract(domain=domain, contract_name="Coordinator")
+    access_controller_contract = registry.get_contract(domain=domain, contract_name=access_controller)
+    fee_model_contract = registry.get_contract(domain=domain, contract_name=fee_model)
+
+    # if using a subcription, duration needs to be calculated
+    if fee_model == "BqETHSubscription":
+        start_of_subscription = fee_model_contract.startOfSubscription()
+        duration = (
+            fee_model_contract.subscriptionPeriodDuration()
+            + fee_model_contract.yellowPeriodDuration()
+            + fee_model_contract.redPeriodDuration()
+        )
+        if start_of_subscription > 0:
+            end_of_subscription = fee_model_contract.getEndOfSubscription()
+            now = chain.blocks.head.timestamp
+            if now > end_of_subscription:
+                raise ValueError("Subscription has already ended.")
+            click.echo(
+            "Subscription has already started. Subtracting the elapsed time from the duration."
+        )
+            elapsed = now - start_of_subscription + 100
+            duration -= elapsed
+
+
     # Get the staking providers in the ritual cohort
     if handpicked:
         providers = sorted(line.lower() for line in handpicked)
@@ -115,20 +141,16 @@ def cli(
             domain=domain, num_nodes=num_nodes, duration=duration, random_seed=random_seed, min_version=min_version
         )
 
-    # Get the contracts from the registry
-    coordinator = registry.get_contract(domain=domain, contract_name="Coordinator")
-    access_controller = registry.get_contract(domain=domain, contract_name=access_controller)
-    fee_model = registry.get_contract(domain=domain, contract_name=fee_model)
 
     # Initiate the ritual
     transactor = Transactor(account=account)
     transactor.transact(
-        coordinator.initiateRitual,
-        fee_model.address,
+        coordinator_contract.initiateRitual,
+        fee_model_contract.address,
         providers,
         authority,
         duration,
-        access_controller.address,
+        access_controller_contract.address,
     )