diff --git a/bittensor/core/async_subtensor.py b/bittensor/core/async_subtensor.py
index f79ac72558..50851218a4 100644
--- a/bittensor/core/async_subtensor.py
+++ b/bittensor/core/async_subtensor.py
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ def __init__(
         retry_forever: bool = False,
         _mock: bool = False,
         archive_endpoints: Optional[list[str]] = None,
-        websocket_shutdown_timer: float = 5.0,
+        websocket_shutdown_timer: Optional[float] = 5.0,
     ):
         """Initializes an AsyncSubtensor instance for blockchain interaction.
 
@@ -172,7 +172,9 @@ def __init__(
                 cases where you are requesting a block that is too old for your current (presumably lite) node.
                 Defaults to ``None``.
             websocket_shutdown_timer: Amount of time, in seconds, to wait after the last response from the chain to
-                close the connection. Defaults to ``5.0``.
+                close the connection. Passing `None` will disable to automatic shutdown process
+                entirely.
+
         Returns:
             None
 
diff --git a/bittensor/core/subtensor_api/__init__.py b/bittensor/core/subtensor_api/__init__.py
index 5ae0bf7134..9806110a34 100644
--- a/bittensor/core/subtensor_api/__init__.py
+++ b/bittensor/core/subtensor_api/__init__.py
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ class SubtensorApi:
         archive_endpoints: Similar to fallback_endpoints, but specifically only archive nodes. Will be used in cases
             where you are requesting a block that is too old for your current (presumably lite) node. Defaults to `None`
         websocket_shutdown_timer: Amount of time, in seconds, to wait after the last response from the chain to close
-            the connection. Only applicable to AsyncSubtensor.
+            the connection. Only applicable to AsyncSubtensor. If `None` is passed to this, the automatic shutdown
+            process is disabled.
 
     Example:
         # sync version
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ def __init__(
         log_verbose: bool = False,
         mock: bool = False,
         archive_endpoints: Optional[list[str]] = None,
-        websocket_shutdown_timer: float = 5.0,
+        websocket_shutdown_timer: Optional[float] = 5.0,
     ):
         self.network = network
         self._fallback_endpoints = fallback_endpoints
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 88c4f68616..7732b25eb9 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "uvicorn",
     "bittensor-drand>=1.0.0,<2.0.0",
     "bittensor-wallet>=4.0.0,<5.0",
-    "async-substrate-interface>=1.5.4"
+    "async-substrate-interface>=1.5.6"
 ]
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]