diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a34b5a5a..c803b7a3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -462,6 +462,7 @@ Pipe commands support parameters (format: `exec:{command}#{param1}#{param2}`):
 - `killsignal` - signal which will be sent to stop the process (numeric form)
 - `killtimeout` - time in seconds for forced termination with sigkill
 - `backchannel` - enable backchannel for two-way audio
+- `starttimeout` - time in seconds for waiting first byte from RTSP
 
 ```yaml
 streams:
diff --git a/internal/exec/exec.go b/internal/exec/exec.go
index bf99168f..e428aefb 100644
--- a/internal/exec/exec.go
+++ b/internal/exec/exec.go
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ func execHandle(rawURL string) (prod core.Producer, err error) {
 	}
 
 	if allowPaths != nil && !slices.Contains(allowPaths, cmd.Args[0]) {
+		_ = cmd.Close()
 		return nil, errors.New("exec: bin not in allow_paths: " + cmd.Args[0])
 	}
 
@@ -107,10 +108,17 @@ func execHandle(rawURL string) (prod core.Producer, err error) {
 		return pcm.NewBackchannel(cmd, query.Get("audio"))
 	}
 
+	var timeout time.Duration
+	if s := query.Get("starttimeout"); s != "" {
+		timeout = time.Duration(core.Atoi(s)) * time.Second
+	} else {
+		timeout = 30 * time.Second
+	}
+
 	if path == "" {
 		prod, err = handlePipe(rawURL, cmd)
 	} else {
-		prod, err = handleRTSP(rawURL, cmd, path)
+		prod, err = handleRTSP(rawURL, cmd, path, timeout)
 	}
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -159,7 +167,7 @@ func handlePipe(source string, cmd *shell.Command) (core.Producer, error) {
 	return prod, nil
 }
 
-func handleRTSP(source string, cmd *shell.Command, path string) (core.Producer, error) {
+func handleRTSP(source string, cmd *shell.Command, path string, timeout time.Duration) (core.Producer, error) {
 	if log.Trace().Enabled() {
 		cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
 	}
@@ -185,11 +193,11 @@ func handleRTSP(source string, cmd *shell.Command, path string) (core.Producer,
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	timeout := time.NewTimer(30 * time.Second)
-	defer timeout.Stop()
+	timer := time.NewTimer(timeout)
+	defer timer.Stop()
 
 	select {
-	case <-timeout.C:
+	case <-timer.C:
 		// haven't received data from app in timeout
 		log.Error().Str("source", source).Msg("[exec] timeout")
 		return nil, errors.New("exec: timeout")