diff --git a/config.def.h b/config.def.h
index 9855e21..4c7b0d9 100644
--- a/config.def.h
+++ b/config.def.h
@@ -10,3 +10,10 @@ static const char *colorname[NUMCOLS] = {
 
 /* treat a cleared input like a wrong password (color) */
 static const int failonclear = 1;
+
+/* number of failed password attempts until failcommand is executed.
+   Set to 0 to disable */
+static const int failcount = 0;
+
+/* command to be executed after [failcount] failed password attempts */
+static const char *failcommand = "shutdown";
diff --git a/slock.c b/slock.c
index d2f0886..53c567f 100644
--- a/slock.c
+++ b/slock.c
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "util.h"
 
 char *argv0;
+int failtrack = 0;
 
 enum {
 	INIT,
@@ -167,6 +168,11 @@ readpw(Display *dpy, struct xrandr *rr, struct lock **locks, int nscreens,
 				if (running) {
 					XBell(dpy, 100);
 					failure = 1;
+					failtrack++;
+
+					if (failtrack >= failcount && failcount != 0){
+						system(failcommand);
+					}
 				}
 				explicit_bzero(&passwd, sizeof(passwd));
 				len = 0;