diff --git a/src/prompt.ts b/src/prompt.ts
index b64b4a8a..318c6709 100644
--- a/src/prompt.ts
+++ b/src/prompt.ts
@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@ function normal(options: IPromptConfig, retries = 100): Promise<string> {
         resolve(data || options.default)
       }
     })
-    setTimeout(() => reject(), options.timeout || 10000).unref()
+    if (options.timeout) {
+      setTimeout(() => reject(new Error('timed out')), options.timeout).unref()
+    }
   })
 }