diff --git a/core/core.go b/core/core.go
index 8fc36a57e..bed95aae6 100644
--- a/core/core.go
+++ b/core/core.go
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ func NewIpfsNode(cfg *config.Config, online bool) (*IpfsNode, error) {
 		exchangeSession = bitswap.NetMessageSession(ctx, exchangeService, local, d, route)
 
 		// TODO(brian): pass a context to initConnections
-		go initConnections(cfg, peerstore, route)
+		go initConnections(ctx, cfg, peerstore, route)
 	}
 
 	// TODO(brian): when offline instantiate the BlockService with a bitswap
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func initIdentity(cfg *config.Config) (*peer.Peer, error) {
 	}, nil
 }
 
-func initConnections(cfg *config.Config, pstore peer.Peerstore, route *dht.IpfsDHT) {
+func initConnections(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, pstore peer.Peerstore, route *dht.IpfsDHT) {
 	for _, p := range cfg.Peers {
 		if p.PeerID == "" {
 			u.PErr("error: peer does not include PeerID. %v\n", p)
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ func initConnections(cfg *config.Config, pstore peer.Peerstore, route *dht.IpfsD
 			continue
 		}
 
-		if _, err = route.Connect(npeer); err != nil {
+		if _, err = route.Connect(ctx, npeer); err != nil {
 			u.PErr("Bootstrapping error: %v\n", err)
 		}
 	}