diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 05aa3ad..57c6383 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -117,6 +117,8 @@ script/run \
 
 Audio will only be streamed to the server after the wake word has been detected.
 
+Once a wake word has been detected, it can not be detected again for several seconds (called the "refractory period"). You can change this with `--wake-refractory-seconds <SECONDS>`.
+
 Note that `--vad` is unnecessary when connecting to a local instance of openwakeword.
 
 ## Sounds
diff --git a/wyoming_satellite/__main__.py b/wyoming_satellite/__main__.py
index 7178f0a..f424aef 100644
--- a/wyoming_satellite/__main__.py
+++ b/wyoming_satellite/__main__.py
@@ -291,7 +291,9 @@ async def main() -> None:
             uri=args.wake_uri,
             command=split_command(args.wake_command),
             names=args.wake_word_name,
-            refractory_seconds=args.wake_refractory_seconds,
+            refractory_seconds=args.wake_refractory_seconds
+            if args.wake_refractory_seconds > 0
+            else None,
         ),
         snd=SndSettings(
             uri=args.snd_uri,