diff --git a/internal/config/config_test.go b/internal/config/config_test.go
index 906b1672..bb81ddfe 100644
--- a/internal/config/config_test.go
+++ b/internal/config/config_test.go
@@ -261,6 +261,7 @@ func TestSetup(t *testing.T) {
 
 var expectedConfig = `k9s:
   refreshRate: 100
+  maxConnRetry: 15
   enableMouse: false
   headless: false
   crumbsless: false
@@ -343,6 +344,7 @@ var expectedConfig = `k9s:
 
 var resetConfig = `k9s:
   refreshRate: 2
+  maxConnRetry: 15
   enableMouse: false
   headless: false
   crumbsless: false
diff --git a/internal/config/k9s.go b/internal/config/k9s.go
index 98c5bf85..578e6f2d 100644
--- a/internal/config/k9s.go
+++ b/internal/config/k9s.go
@@ -2,11 +2,15 @@ package config
 
 import "github.com/derailed/k9s/internal/client"
 
-const defaultRefreshRate = 2
+const (
+	defaultRefreshRate  = 2
+	defaultMaxConnRetry = 15
+)
 
 // K9s tracks K9s configuration options.
 type K9s struct {
 	RefreshRate       int                 `yaml:"refreshRate"`
+	MaxConnRetry      int                 `yaml:"maxConnRetry"`
 	EnableMouse       bool                `yaml:"enableMouse"`
 	Headless          bool                `yaml:"headless"`
 	Crumbsless        bool                `yaml:"crumbsless"`
@@ -27,10 +31,11 @@ type K9s struct {
 // NewK9s create a new K9s configuration.
 func NewK9s() *K9s {
 	return &K9s{
-		RefreshRate: defaultRefreshRate,
-		Logger:      NewLogger(),
-		Clusters:    make(map[string]*Cluster),
-		Thresholds:  NewThreshold(),
+		RefreshRate:  defaultRefreshRate,
+		MaxConnRetry: defaultMaxConnRetry,
+		Logger:       NewLogger(),
+		Clusters:     make(map[string]*Cluster),
+		Thresholds:   NewThreshold(),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -116,6 +121,9 @@ func (k *K9s) validateDefaults() {
 	if k.RefreshRate <= 0 {
 		k.RefreshRate = defaultRefreshRate
 	}
+	if k.MaxConnRetry <= 0 {
+		k.MaxConnRetry = defaultMaxConnRetry
+	}
 }
 
 func (k *K9s) validateClusters(c client.Connection, ks KubeSettings) {
diff --git a/internal/view/app.go b/internal/view/app.go
index ff3f92d4..1c754545 100644
--- a/internal/view/app.go
+++ b/internal/view/app.go
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ var ExitStatus = ""
 const (
 	splashDelay      = 1 * time.Second
 	clusterRefresh   = 15 * time.Second
-	maxConRetry      = 15
 	clusterInfoWidth = 50
 	clusterInfoPad   = 15
 )
@@ -304,13 +303,13 @@ func (a *App) refreshCluster() {
 		c.Stop()
 	}
 
-	count := atomic.LoadInt32(&a.conRetry)
-	if count >= maxConRetry {
+	count, maxConnRetry := atomic.LoadInt32(&a.conRetry), int32(a.Config.K9s.MaxConnRetry)
+	if count >= maxConnRetry {
 		ExitStatus = fmt.Sprintf("Lost K8s connection (%d). Bailing out!", count)
 		a.BailOut()
 	}
 	if count > 0 {
-		log.Warn().Msgf("Conn check failed (%d/%d)", count, maxConRetry)
+		log.Warn().Msgf("Conn check failed (%d/%d)", count, maxConnRetry)
 		a.Status(model.FlashWarn, fmt.Sprintf("Dial K8s failed (%d)", count))
 		return
 	}