diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a47bf55..ba6d05c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ This matrix mirrors the [feature matrix of the OpenFeature SDK for Python](https
 | ✅      | Domains                         | Domains bind clients to providers in the OpenFeature SDK; a separate provider instance may be registered per domain.                                                                                                       |
 | ✅      | Eventing                        | LaunchDarkly data source status changes are emitted as `PROVIDER_READY`, `PROVIDER_STALE` and `PROVIDER_ERROR`; flag changes as `PROVIDER_CONFIGURATION_CHANGED` with the changed flag key.                              |
 | ✅      | Tracking                        | `track` sends a LaunchDarkly custom event for the evaluation context, with the tracking event value and remaining details attached.                                                                                        |
-| ⚠️      | Initialization                  | `initialize` reports whether the LaunchDarkly client became ready. It has no timeout of its own and waits until the data source becomes valid or permanently fails: [#55](https://github.com/launchdarkly/openfeature-python-server/issues/55). |
+| ✅      | Initialization                  | `initialize` reports whether the LaunchDarkly client became ready. The optional `start_wait` parameter bounds initialization; zero applies no timeout and waits until the data source becomes valid or permanently fails. |
 | ✅      | Shutdown                        | `shutdown` closes the LaunchDarkly client; a closed client cannot be restarted, so a new provider instance is required afterward.                                                                                          |
 | ✅      | Transaction Context Propagation | Provided by the OpenFeature SDK, which merges the transaction context into the evaluation context before the provider is called; no provider support is required.                                                          |
 | ✅      | Extending                       | The underlying LaunchDarkly client is available through the `client` property.                                                                                                                                            |
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ api.set_provider(openfeature_provider)
 # Refer to OpenFeature documentation for getting a client and performing evaluations.
 ```
 
+The optional `start_wait` parameter is the number of seconds to wait for a successful connection to LaunchDarkly, matching the same parameter of the LaunchDarkly SDK's `LDClient`, and defaulting to the same five seconds. A positive value bounds the whole of initialization: the provider constructor blocks for up to that long, and OpenFeature initialization then completes immediately, reporting a failed initialization if the client did not become ready in time. Zero does not block the constructor at all, and initialization then waits without a deadline for the data source to become valid or to fail permanently.
+
 Refer to the [SDK reference guide](https://docs.launchdarkly.com/sdk/server-side/python) for instructions on getting started with using the SDK.
 
 For information on using the OpenFeature client please refer to the [OpenFeature Documentation](https://docs.openfeature.dev/docs/reference/concepts/evaluation-api/).
diff --git a/ld_openfeature/provider.py b/ld_openfeature/provider.py
index 9c5275c..d01a6fb 100644
--- a/ld_openfeature/provider.py
+++ b/ld_openfeature/provider.py
@@ -26,8 +26,20 @@
 
 
 class LaunchDarklyProvider(AbstractProvider):
-    def __init__(self, config: Config):
-        self.__client = LDClient(config.with_wrapper_information(WRAPPER_NAME, VERSION))
+    def __init__(self, config: Config, start_wait: float = 5):
+        """
+        Create a provider backed by a LaunchDarkly client.
+
+        :param config: The LaunchDarkly client configuration.
+        :param start_wait: The number of seconds to wait for a successful connection to LaunchDarkly, matching
+            the same parameter of :class:`ldclient.LDClient`. A positive value bounds the whole of initialization:
+            this constructor blocks for up to that long, and ``initialize`` then completes immediately, reporting
+            a failed initialization if the client did not become ready in time. Zero does not block this
+            constructor at all, and ``initialize`` then waits without a deadline for the data source to become
+            valid or to fail permanently.
+        """
+        self.__client = LDClient(config.with_wrapper_information(WRAPPER_NAME, VERSION), start_wait)
+        self.__start_wait = start_wait
 
         self.__context_converter = EvaluationContextConverter()
         self.__details_converter = ResolutionDetailsConverter()
@@ -84,7 +96,9 @@ def ready_handler(status: DataSourceStatus):
         if self.__client.is_initialized():
             ready_event.set()
 
-        ready_event.wait()
+        # With a start wait the client constructor has already waited, so the outcome is whatever it is now.
+        if self.__start_wait <= 0:
+            ready_event.wait()
 
         self.__client.data_source_status_provider.remove_listener(ready_handler)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_data_sources.py b/tests/test_data_sources.py
index 2440083..1deadb1 100644
--- a/tests/test_data_sources.py
+++ b/tests/test_data_sources.py
@@ -40,6 +40,23 @@ def initialized(self):
         return False
 
 
+class NeverReadyDataSource(UpdateProcessor):
+    def __init__(self, config: Config, store, ready: threading.Event):
+        self._ready = ready
+
+    def start(self):
+        pass
+
+    def stop(self):
+        pass
+
+    def is_alive(self):
+        return False
+
+    def initialized(self):
+        return False
+
+
 class DelayedFailingDataSource(UpdateProcessor):
     def __init__(self, config: Config, store, ready: threading.Event):
         self._data_source_update_sink: Optional[DataSourceUpdateSink] = config.data_source_update_sink
diff --git a/tests/test_provider.py b/tests/test_provider.py
index 3bb85af..4183949 100644
--- a/tests/test_provider.py
+++ b/tests/test_provider.py
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 from openfeature import api
 
 from ld_openfeature import LaunchDarklyProvider, Config
+from tests.test_data_sources import FailingDataSource, InitializedThenFailingDataSource, NeverReadyDataSource, StaleDataSource, UpdatingDataSource, DelayedFailingDataSource
 from ld_openfeature.version import VERSION
-from tests.test_data_sources import FailingDataSource, InitializedThenFailingDataSource, StaleDataSource, UpdatingDataSource, DelayedFailingDataSource
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
@@ -50,6 +50,29 @@ def test_ldclient_is_accessible(provider: LaunchDarklyProvider):
     assert type(provider.client) is LDClient
 
 
+def test_default_start_wait_matches_launchdarkly_sdk_default():
+    config = Config("", offline=True)
+
+    with patch("ld_openfeature.provider.LDClient") as client:
+        LaunchDarklyProvider(config)
+
+    assert client.call_args.args[1] == 5
+
+
+def test_initialization_fails_without_waiting_again_with_positive_start_wait():
+    provider = LaunchDarklyProvider(
+        Config("", update_processor_class=NeverReadyDataSource, send_events=False),
+        start_wait=0.5,
+    )
+
+    started = time.time()
+    with pytest.raises(ProviderNotReadyError):
+        provider.initialize(EvaluationContext("user-key"))
+
+    assert time.time() - started < 0.25
+    provider.shutdown()
+
+
 def test_provider_identifies_itself_as_the_wrapper(provider: LaunchDarklyProvider, config: Config):
     assert provider.client._config.wrapper_name == "open-feature-python-server"
     assert provider.client._config.wrapper_version == VERSION