diff --git a/syncserver/staticnode.py b/syncserver/staticnode.py
index d3e8cc5..1f6562a 100644
--- a/syncserver/staticnode.py
+++ b/syncserver/staticnode.py
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ class StaticNodeAssignment(object):
                 sqlkw["max_overflow"] = 0
         if "mysql" in self.driver:
             # Guard against the db closing idle conections.
-            sqlkw["pool_recycle"] = 3600
+            sqlkw["pool_recycle"] = kw.get("pool_recycle", 3600)
         self._engine = create_engine(sqluri, **sqlkw)
         users.create(self._engine, checkfirst=True)