diff --git a/tinyraft.js b/tinyraft.js
index bb9272e..dbd8f6c 100644
--- a/tinyraft.js
+++ b/tinyraft.js
@@ -194,11 +194,14 @@ class TinyRaft extends EventEmitter
         }
         else if (msg.type == PONG && this.state == LEADER)
         {
-            this._nextTerm(-1);
             if (msg.leader != this.nodeId)
             {
                 this.start();
             }
+            else
+            {
+                this._nextTerm(this.leadershipTimeout > 0 ? this.leadershipTimeout : -1);
+            }
         }
     }