diff --git a/Lib/multiprocessing/pool.py b/Lib/multiprocessing/pool.py
index a545f3c..e76817a 100644
--- a/Lib/multiprocessing/pool.py
+++ b/Lib/multiprocessing/pool.py
@@ -540,10 +540,17 @@ class Pool(object):
         self._worker_handler._state = TERMINATE
         self._terminate()
 
-    def join(self):
+    def is_alive(self):
+        util.debug('checking worker handler status')
+        return self._worker_handler.is_alive()
+
+    def join(self, timeout):
         util.debug('joining pool')
         assert self._state in (CLOSE, TERMINATE)
-        self._worker_handler.join()
+        self._worker_handler.join(timeout=timeout)
+        if self._worker_handler.is_alive():
+            util.debug('pool join timed out')
+            return
         self._task_handler.join()
         self._result_handler.join()
         for p in self._pool: