diff --git a/shelfmark/download/clients/base_handler.py b/shelfmark/download/clients/base_handler.py
index 27e9a8c4..2d847e21 100644
--- a/shelfmark/download/clients/base_handler.py
+++ b/shelfmark/download/clients/base_handler.py
@@ -273,10 +273,12 @@ class ExternalClientHandler(DownloadHandler, ABC):
     def _stall_window_seconds() -> float:
         """How long a torrent may go without progress, from the user's setting (seconds)."""
         raw = config.get(STALL_TIMEOUT_SETTING, STALL_TIMEOUT_DEFAULT_MINUTES)
-        try:
-            minutes = float(raw)  # pyright: ignore[reportArgumentType]
-        except TypeError, ValueError:
-            minutes = float(STALL_TIMEOUT_DEFAULT_MINUTES)
+        minutes = float(STALL_TIMEOUT_DEFAULT_MINUTES)
+        if isinstance(raw, (int, float, str)):
+            try:
+                minutes = float(raw)
+            except ValueError:
+                minutes = float(STALL_TIMEOUT_DEFAULT_MINUTES)
         if not math.isfinite(minutes):
             minutes = float(STALL_TIMEOUT_DEFAULT_MINUTES)
         minutes = min(max(minutes, STALL_TIMEOUT_MIN_MINUTES), STALL_TIMEOUT_MAX_MINUTES)
diff --git a/tests/download/test_torrent_queue_stall.py b/tests/download/test_torrent_queue_stall.py
index a7fba9a9..f4ab4934 100644
--- a/tests/download/test_torrent_queue_stall.py
+++ b/tests/download/test_torrent_queue_stall.py
@@ -229,6 +229,8 @@ def test_a_value_above_the_maximum_is_capped() -> None:
         (500, 3600.0),  # above the maximum
         ("soon", 900.0),  # not a number: the default
         ("", 900.0),
+        (None, 900.0),
+        ([5], 900.0),
         (float("nan"), 900.0),
         (float("inf"), 900.0),
     ],