diff --git a/snow/engine/common/bootstrapper.go b/snow/engine/common/bootstrapper.go
index 963a4fb..8c9c745 100644
--- a/snow/engine/common/bootstrapper.go
+++ b/snow/engine/common/bootstrapper.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ const (
 	StatusUpdateFrequency = 2500
 
 	// MaxOutstandingRequests is the maximum number of GetAncestors sent but not responsded to/failed
-	MaxOutstandingRequests = 15
+	MaxOutstandingRequests = 8
 )
 
 var (