diff --git a/src/connection.py b/src/connection.py
index e6188e05..dc35dd94 100644
--- a/src/connection.py
+++ b/src/connection.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class Connection(sleekxmpp.ClientXMPP):
         if int(interval) > 0:
             self.whitespace_keepalive_interval = int(interval)
         else:
-            self.whitespace_keepalive_interval = 300
+            self.whitespace_keepalive = False
         self.register_plugin('xep_0004')
         self.register_plugin('xep_0012')
         self.register_plugin('xep_0030')