diff --git a/hospexplorer/ask/kb_connector.py b/hospexplorer/ask/kb_connector.py
index a6cfb11..77f87b8 100644
--- a/hospexplorer/ask/kb_connector.py
+++ b/hospexplorer/ask/kb_connector.py
@@ -90,6 +90,15 @@ def add_pdf_to_kb(file_bytes, filename, title, url=None):
                 )
             response.raise_for_status()
             return response.json()
+        except httpx.TimeoutException as e:
+            # ReadTimeout/WriteTimeout are TransportError subclasses
+            # let them propagate so the caller's timeout handler runs instead
+            # of the retry loop
+            logger.warning(
+                "KB PDF push timed out for %s: %s; not retrying (KB may still be processing)",
+                filename, e,
+            )
+            raise
         except httpx.TransportError as e:
             last_exc = e
             if attempt == attempts: