diff --git a/tubesync/sync/youtube.py b/tubesync/sync/youtube.py
index 665ec67a..3ea3c333 100644
--- a/tubesync/sync/youtube.py
+++ b/tubesync/sync/youtube.py
@@ -245,9 +245,9 @@ def download_media(
         'writethumbnail': True,
         'check_formats': False,
         'overwrites': None,
-        'sleep_interval': 30,
-        'max_sleep_interval': 600,
-        'sleep_interval_requests': 30,
+        'sleep_interval': 10 + int(settings.DOWNLOAD_MEDIA_DELAY / 20),
+        'max_sleep_interval': settings.DOWNLOAD_MEDIA_DELAY,
+        'sleep_interval_requests': 5,
         'paths': opts.get('paths', dict()),
         'postprocessor_args': opts.get('postprocessor_args', dict()),
         'postprocessor_hooks': opts.get('postprocessor_hooks', list()),
diff --git a/tubesync/tubesync/local_settings.py.container b/tubesync/tubesync/local_settings.py.container
index 87ee3aa4..9d975ac6 100644
--- a/tubesync/tubesync/local_settings.py.container
+++ b/tubesync/tubesync/local_settings.py.container
@@ -52,10 +52,7 @@ else:
 
 
 DEFAULT_THREADS = 1
-MAX_BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS = 8
 BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS = int(os.getenv('TUBESYNC_WORKERS', DEFAULT_THREADS))
-if BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS > MAX_BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS:
-    BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS = MAX_BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS
 
 
 MEDIA_ROOT = CONFIG_BASE_DIR / 'media'
diff --git a/tubesync/tubesync/settings.py b/tubesync/tubesync/settings.py
index 3c350ab3..20b53fcc 100644
--- a/tubesync/tubesync/settings.py
+++ b/tubesync/tubesync/settings.py
@@ -181,6 +181,13 @@
 RENAME_SOURCES = None
 
 
+# WARNING WARNING WARNING
+# Below this line, the logic and formulas must remain as they are.
+# Changing them is very likely to break the software in weird ways.
+# To change anything, you should adjust a variable above or in the
+# 'local_settings.py' file instead.
+# You have been warned!
+
 try:
     from .local_settings import *
 except ImportError as e:
@@ -189,5 +196,22 @@
     sys.exit(1)
 
 
+try:
+    MAX_RUN_TIME = int(str(MAX_RUN_TIME), base=10)
+except:
+    # fall back to the default value from:
+    # https://github.com/django-background-tasks/django-background-tasks/blob/12c8f328e4ba704bd7d91534bb6569e70197b949/background_task/settings.py#L28
+    MAX_RUN_TIME = 3600
+
+# Tasks scheduled with `background_task` need a chance to finish
+if MAX_RUN_TIME < 600:
+    MAX_RUN_TIME = 600
+
+DOWNLOAD_MEDIA_DELAY = 60 + (MAX_RUN_TIME / 20)
+
+if BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS > MAX_BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS:
+    BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS = MAX_BACKGROUND_TASK_ASYNC_THREADS
+
+
 from .dbutils import patch_ensure_connection
 patch_ensure_connection()