diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e65e554..3132796 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ Configuration files are written using [toml](https://toml.io). Top level configu
 - `host` - a hostname to serve this relay on.
 - `schema` - a string that identifies this relay. This cannot be changed, and must be usable as a sqlite identifier.
 - `secret` - the nostr secret key of the relay. Will be used to populate the relay's NIP 11 `self` field and sign generated events.
+- `inactive` - a boolean indicating whether the relay is currently inactive. The relay will not be available if set.
 
 ### `[info]`
 
diff --git a/zooid/config.go b/zooid/config.go
index 7ffb580..389ea44 100644
--- a/zooid/config.go
+++ b/zooid/config.go
@@ -16,10 +16,11 @@ type Role struct {
 }
 
 type Config struct {
-	Host   string `toml:"host" json:"host"`
-	Schema string `toml:"schema" json:"schema"`
-	Secret string `toml:"secret" json:"secret"`
-	Info   struct {
+	Host     string `toml:"host" json:"host"`
+	Schema   string `toml:"schema" json:"schema"`
+	Secret   string `toml:"secret" json:"secret"`
+	Inactive bool   `toml:"inactive" json:"inactive"`
+	Info     struct {
 		Name        string `toml:"name" json:"name"`
 		Icon        string `toml:"icon" json:"icon"`
 		Pubkey      string `toml:"pubkey" json:"pubkey"`
diff --git a/zooid/lib.go b/zooid/lib.go
index 8493e35..8427b0d 100644
--- a/zooid/lib.go
+++ b/zooid/lib.go
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ func Dispatch(hostname string) (*Instance, bool) {
 	defer instancesMux.RUnlock()
 
 	instance, exists := instancesByHost[hostname]
+	if !exists || instance.Config.Inactive {
+		return nil, false
+	}
 
 	return instance, exists
 }
@@ -60,6 +63,8 @@ func Start() {
 
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Printf("Failed to make instance for %s: %v", entry.Name(), err)
+		} else if instance.Config.Inactive {
+			log.Printf("Skipped inactive %s", entry.Name())
 		} else {
 			instancesByHost[instance.Config.Host] = instance
 			instancesByName[entry.Name()] = instance
@@ -105,6 +110,8 @@ func Start() {
 					instance, err := MakeInstance(filename)
 					if err != nil {
 						log.Printf("Failed to reload %s: %v", filename, err)
+					} else if instance.Config.Inactive {
+						log.Printf("Skipped inactive %s", filename)
 					} else {
 						instancesByHost[instance.Config.Host] = instance
 						instancesByName[filename] = instance
diff --git a/zooid/lib_test.go b/zooid/lib_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb671dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zooid/lib_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+package zooid
+
+import "testing"
+
+func TestDispatch_IgnoresInactiveInstances(t *testing.T) {
+	instancesOnce.Do(func() {})
+
+	instancesMux.Lock()
+	instancesByHost = map[string]*Instance{
+		"active.example.com": {
+			Config: &Config{Host: "active.example.com"},
+		},
+		"inactive.example.com": {
+			Config: &Config{Host: "inactive.example.com", Inactive: true},
+		},
+	}
+	instancesMux.Unlock()
+
+	if _, exists := Dispatch("active.example.com"); !exists {
+		t.Fatal("expected active instance to be dispatched")
+	}
+
+	if _, exists := Dispatch("inactive.example.com"); exists {
+		t.Fatal("expected inactive instance to not be dispatched")
+	}
+}