diff --git a/cassandra/cluster.py b/cassandra/cluster.py
index 18c1734474..cc5cd78a1c 100644
--- a/cassandra/cluster.py
+++ b/cassandra/cluster.py
@@ -3277,6 +3277,7 @@ def __init__(self, session, message, query, timeout, metrics=None, prepared_stat
         self._errbacks = []
         self._spec_execution_plan = speculative_execution_plan or self._spec_execution_plan
         self.attempted_hosts = []
+        self._start_timer()
 
     def _start_timer(self):
         if self._timer is None:
@@ -3331,11 +3332,6 @@ def send_request(self, error_no_hosts=True):
             req_id = self._query(host)
             if req_id is not None:
                 self._req_id = req_id
-
-                # timer is only started here, after we have at least one message queued
-                # this is done to avoid overrun of timers with unfettered client requests
-                # in the case of full disconnect, where no hosts will be available
-                self._start_timer()
                 return True
             if self.timeout is not None and time.time() - self._start_time > self.timeout:
                 self._on_timeout()
@@ -3454,7 +3450,7 @@ def start_fetching_next_page(self):
         self._event.clear()
         self._final_result = _NOT_SET
         self._final_exception = None
-        self._timer = None  # clear cancelled timer; new one will be set when request is queued
+        self._start_timer()
         self.send_request()
 
     def _reprepare(self, prepare_message, host, connection, pool):
@@ -3612,6 +3608,7 @@ def _set_result(self, host, connection, pool, response):
                 # we got some other kind of response message
                 msg = "Got unexpected message: %r" % (response,)
                 exc = ConnectionException(msg, host)
+                self._cancel_timer()
                 self._connection.defunct(exc)
                 self._set_final_exception(exc)
         except Exception as exc:
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_cluster.py b/tests/unit/test_cluster.py
index 279b0f94a1..b3337f6c4d 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_cluster.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_cluster.py
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ def test_default_legacy(self):
         self._verify_response_future_profile(rf, expected_profile)
 
     def test_default_profile(self):
-        non_default_profile = ExecutionProfile(RoundRobinPolicy(), *[object() for _ in range(5)])
+        non_default_profile = ExecutionProfile(RoundRobinPolicy(), *[object() for _ in range(3)])
         cluster = Cluster(execution_profiles={'non-default': non_default_profile})
         session = Session(cluster, hosts=[])
 
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ def test_statement_params_override_legacy(self):
         self._verify_response_future_profile(rf, expected_profile)
 
     def test_statement_params_override_profile(self):
-        non_default_profile = ExecutionProfile(RoundRobinPolicy(), *[object() for _ in range(5)])
+        non_default_profile = ExecutionProfile(RoundRobinPolicy(), *[object() for _ in range(3)])
         cluster = Cluster(execution_profiles={'non-default': non_default_profile})
         session = Session(cluster, hosts=[])
 
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ def test_no_legacy_with_profile(self):
 
     def test_profile_name_value(self):
 
-        internalized_profile = ExecutionProfile(RoundRobinPolicy(), *[object() for _ in range(5)])
+        internalized_profile = ExecutionProfile(RoundRobinPolicy(), *[object() for _ in range(3)])
         cluster = Cluster(execution_profiles={'by-name': internalized_profile})
         session = Session(cluster, hosts=[])
         self.assertEqual(cluster._config_mode, _ConfigMode.PROFILES)
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ def test_profile_name_value(self):
         rf = session.execute_async("query", execution_profile='by-name')
         self._verify_response_future_profile(rf, internalized_profile)
 
-        by_value = ExecutionProfile(RoundRobinPolicy(), *[object() for _ in range(5)])
+        by_value = ExecutionProfile(RoundRobinPolicy(), *[object() for _ in range(3)])
         rf = session.execute_async("query", execution_profile=by_value)
         self._verify_response_future_profile(rf, by_value)