diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index b62ec6c9..8cf35806 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@
 * Remove Strike torrent provider
 * Change increase the scope and number of non release group text that is identified and removed
 * Add a general config setting to allow adding incomplete show data
+* Change to throttle connection rate on thread initiation for adba library
 
 [develop changelog]
 Enable Alpha Ratio again now that the secure login page over https is fixed
diff --git a/lib/adba/__init__.py b/lib/adba/__init__.py
index 93817404..ea622cd6 100644
--- a/lib/adba/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/adba/__init__.py
@@ -61,8 +61,9 @@ class Connection(threading.Thread):
 
         self._iamALIVE = False
 
-        self.counter = 0
-        self.counterAge = 0
+        # start with a throttled connection
+        self.counter = 6
+        self.counterAge = time()
 
     def print_log(self, data):
         print(strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S", localtime(time())) + ": " + str(data))