diff --git a/ffdc/ssh_utility.py b/ffdc/ssh_utility.py
index 2110b74..44a76ff 100644
--- a/ffdc/ssh_utility.py
+++ b/ffdc/ssh_utility.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
         if self.scpclient:
             self.scpclient.close()
 
-    def execute_command(self, command):
+    def execute_command(self, command, default_timeout=60):
         """
         Execute command on the remote host.
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@
         """
 
         try:
-            stdin, stdout, stderr = self.sshclient.exec_command(command)
+            stdin, stdout, stderr = self.sshclient.exec_command(command, timeout=default_timeout)
             stdout.channel.recv_exit_status()
             response = stdout.readlines()
             return response