diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
index 0982748..2617b4a 100644
--- a/config.h
+++ b/config.h
@@ -51,6 +51,12 @@
 // If on multi-head, place windows on monitor holding current window.
 #define MONITOR_START MONITOR_CURRENT
 
+// Should new windows be automatically focused, or ignored until focused manually?
+// IGNORE means new windows only steal focus if they obscure the current window.
+// STEAL means new windows always steal focus.
+#define FOCUS_START FOCUS_IGNORE
+//#define FOCUS_START FOCUS_STEAL
+
 // If you use "AnyModifier" place those keys at the end of the array.
 binding keys[] = {
 
diff --git a/xoat.c b/xoat.c
index b021a08..12c643e 100644
--- a/xoat.c
+++ b/xoat.c
@@ -697,7 +697,7 @@ void map_notify(XEvent *e)
 		client_raise_family(c);
 		client_update_border(c);
 		// if no current window, or new window has opened in the current spot, focus it
-		if (!(a = window_build_client(current)) || (a && a->spot == c->spot))
+		if (FOCUS_START == FOCUS_STEAL || !(a = window_build_client(current)) || (a && a->spot == c->spot))
 			client_set_focus(c);
 		client_free(a);
 		ewmh_client_list();
diff --git a/xoat.h b/xoat.h
index 16d60e1..8a7d6ab 100644
--- a/xoat.h
+++ b/xoat.h
@@ -70,6 +70,11 @@ enum {
 	SPOT1_RIGHT
 };
 
+enum {
+	FOCUS_IGNORE=1,
+	FOCUS_STEAL,
+};
+
 typedef struct {
 	short x, y, w, h;
 } box;