diff --git a/src/drv_maildir.c b/src/drv_maildir.c
index f916632..6080877 100644
--- a/src/drv_maildir.c
+++ b/src/drv_maildir.c
@@ -991,9 +991,12 @@ maildir_scan( maildir_store_t *ctx, msg_t_array_alloc_t *msglist )
 #endif /* USE_DB */
 				return DRV_BOX_BAD;
 			}
+			const char *filter = getenv("MBSYNC_MAILDIR_IGNORE");
 			while ((e = readdir( d ))) {
 				if (*e->d_name == '.')
 					continue;
+				if (filter && strstr(e->d_name, filter))
+					continue;
 				ctx->total_msgs++;
 				ctx->recent_msgs += i;
 #ifdef USE_DB