diff --git a/platform-sdk/swirlds-virtualmap/src/main/java/com/swirlds/virtualmap/internal/reconnect/VirtualTeacherTreeView.java b/platform-sdk/swirlds-virtualmap/src/main/java/com/swirlds/virtualmap/internal/reconnect/VirtualTeacherTreeView.java
index 1257a1f8acac..eb666834f80d 100644
--- a/platform-sdk/swirlds-virtualmap/src/main/java/com/swirlds/virtualmap/internal/reconnect/VirtualTeacherTreeView.java
+++ b/platform-sdk/swirlds-virtualmap/src/main/java/com/swirlds/virtualmap/internal/reconnect/VirtualTeacherTreeView.java
@@ -95,6 +95,12 @@ private synchronized void flipQueues() {
      */
     private static final long AWAIT_FOR_REPORT_TIMEOUT_MILLIS = 100;
 
+    /**
+     * The maximum total time for the `while (!hasReported) { wait() }` loop.
+     * This is used to protect the teacher from a dying learner.
+     */
+    private static final long MAX_TOTAL_AWAIT_FOR_REPORT_TIMEOUT_MILLIS = 5000;
+
     /**
      * A queue of the nodes (by path) that we expect responses for.
      */
@@ -186,7 +192,10 @@ public Long getNextNodeToHandle() {
             if (lastNodeAwaitingReporting != null) {
                 try {
                     synchronized (lastNodeAwaitingReporting) {
-                        while (!hasLearnerReportedFor(lastNodeAwaitingReporting)) {
+                        final long waitStartMillis = System.currentTimeMillis();
+                        while (!hasLearnerReportedFor(lastNodeAwaitingReporting)
+                                && System.currentTimeMillis() - waitStartMillis
+                                        < MAX_TOTAL_AWAIT_FOR_REPORT_TIMEOUT_MILLIS) {
                             lastNodeAwaitingReporting.wait(AWAIT_FOR_REPORT_TIMEOUT_MILLIS);
                         }
                     }