diff --git a/crates/subspace-networking/src/bin/subspace-bootstrap-node/main.rs b/crates/subspace-networking/src/bin/subspace-bootstrap-node/main.rs
index 93273d134d..f15889510a 100644
--- a/crates/subspace-networking/src/bin/subspace-bootstrap-node/main.rs
+++ b/crates/subspace-networking/src/bin/subspace-bootstrap-node/main.rs
@@ -163,9 +163,12 @@ async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
                 max_established_outgoing_connections: out_peers,
                 max_pending_incoming_connections: pending_in_peers,
                 max_pending_outgoing_connections: pending_out_peers,
-                // we don't maintain permanent connections with any peer
-                general_connected_peers_handler: None,
-                special_connected_peers_handler: None,
+                // Maintain proactive connections with all peers
+                general_connected_peers_handler: Some(Arc::new(|_| true)),
+                // Maintain some number of persistent connections
+                general_connected_peers_target: in_peers / 8,
+                // Allow some more persistent connections from other peers
+                general_connected_peers_limit: in_peers / 4,
                 bootstrap_addresses: bootstrap_nodes,
                 kademlia_mode: KademliaMode::Static(Mode::Server),
                 external_addresses,