Same problem with nslookup (also from bind-utils). What is happening: The dns query returns a SERVFAIL and the next dns server from resolv.conf is tried. I've there 3 entries. The 3rd/last lookup (I've also tried 2 entries then it is the 2nd lookup) hangs. When using host -s switch (to stop on SERVFAIL) or nslookup -fail there are NO hangs.