diff --git a/devices/clients/comms_client.py b/devices/clients/comms_client.py
index f189ce3fdec74bad5c40c2186bfc6b3f3c207cca..011e1e62180e85f6bc17d72a6ee31eb5871ecb50 100644
--- a/devices/clients/comms_client.py
+++ b/devices/clients/comms_client.py
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ class CommClient(Thread):
                 # signal that we're disconnected
                 self.fault_func()
 
+                # don't enter a spam-connect loop if faults immediately occur
+                time.sleep(self.try_interval)
+
     def ping(self):
         return