diff --git a/bitswap/client/internal/messagequeue/messagequeue.go b/bitswap/client/internal/messagequeue/messagequeue.go
index 862ec1bae..f6b7a45e2 100644
--- a/bitswap/client/internal/messagequeue/messagequeue.go
+++ b/bitswap/client/internal/messagequeue/messagequeue.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ const (
 	// when we reach sendMessageCutoff wants/cancels, we'll send the message immediately.
 	sendMessageCutoff = 256
 	// wait this long before sending next message
-	sendMessageDelay = 200 * time.Millisecond
+	sendMessageDelay = 20 * time.Millisecond
 	sendTimeout      = 30 * time.Second
 )