diff --git a/sinks/httpSink.go b/sinks/httpSink.go
index c0a99ce..466915d 100644
--- a/sinks/httpSink.go
+++ b/sinks/httpSink.go
@@ -97,13 +97,17 @@ func (s *HttpSink) Flush() error {
 		if err != nil {
 			cclog.ComponentError(s.name, "transport/tcp error:", err.Error())
 			// Wait between retries
-			time.Sleep(time.Duration(i+1) * time.Second)
+			time.Sleep(time.Duration(i+1) * (time.Second / 2))
 			continue
 		}
 
 		break
 	}
 
+	if res == nil {
+		return errors.New("flush failed due to repeated errors")
+	}
+
 	// Handle application errors
 	if res.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
 		err := errors.New(res.Status)