diff --git a/libtransmission/peer-mgr.c b/libtransmission/peer-mgr.c
index 697afdc05..776eb9086 100644
--- a/libtransmission/peer-mgr.c
+++ b/libtransmission/peer-mgr.c
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ enum
 
     /* max number of peers to ask for per second overall.
      * this throttle is to avoid overloading the router */
-    MAX_CONNECTIONS_PER_SECOND = 12,
+    MAX_CONNECTIONS_PER_SECOND = 8,
 
     /* corresponds to ut_pex's added.f flags */
     ADDED_F_ENCRYPTION_FLAG = 1,