diff --git a/lnbits/middleware.py b/lnbits/middleware.py
index 582e4e17..87dcc998 100644
--- a/lnbits/middleware.py
+++ b/lnbits/middleware.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-import asyncio
 from http import HTTPStatus
 from typing import Any, List, Tuple, Union
 from urllib.parse import parse_qs
@@ -215,7 +214,6 @@ def add_ip_block_middleware(app: FastAPI):
             request.client.host in settings.lnbits_blocked_ips
             and request.client.host not in settings.lnbits_allowed_ips
         ):
-            await asyncio.sleep(5)
             return JSONResponse(
                 status_code=403,  # Forbidden
                 content={"detail": "IP is blocked"},