diff --git a/config.sample.h b/config.sample.h
index 63fe159..769d5db 100644
--- a/config.sample.h
+++ b/config.sample.h
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #define LED_TYPE WS2812B
 #define DATA_PIN 14
 #define COLOR_ORDER GRB
+uint8_t config_brightness = 20; // Can be overwritten via MQTT_TOPIC_BRIGHTNESS
 
 #define NTP_SERVER "pool.ntp.org"
 #define NTP_INTERVAL 60000
diff --git a/fastled.ino b/fastled.ino
index 28ca0ba..a009a88 100644
--- a/fastled.ino
+++ b/fastled.ino
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 void fastled_setup() {
   FastLED.addLeds<LED_TYPE,DATA_PIN,COLOR_ORDER>(leds, LED_COUNT).setCorrection(TypicalLEDStrip);
-  FastLED.setBrightness(20);
+  FastLED.setBrightness(config_brightness);
 }
diff --git a/mqtt.h b/mqtt.h
index f066ca1..220371b 100644
--- a/mqtt.h
+++ b/mqtt.h
@@ -3,13 +3,21 @@ long mqtt_last_reconnect_attempt = 0;
 
 void mqtt_callback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length) {
   payload[length] = '\0';
-  for (int i=0; i<NUM_EFFECTS; i++) {
-    EffectEntry* e = &effects[i];
-    if (strcmp(e->name, (char*)payload)==0) {
-      //Serial.printf("Effect found in mqtt_callback: %p\n", (void *)&e->effect);
-      current_effect = e->effect;
-      clear();
-      return;
+  if(strcmp(topic, MQTT_TOPIC_MODE)==0) {
+    for (int i=0; i<NUM_EFFECTS; i++) {
+      EffectEntry* e = &effects[i];
+      if (strcmp(e->name, (char*)payload)==0) {
+        //Serial.printf("Effect found in mqtt_callback: %p\n", (void *)&e->effect);
+        current_effect = e->effect;
+        clear();
+        return;
+      }
+    }
+  } else if (strcmp(topic, MQTT_TOPIC_BRIGHTNESS)==0) {
+    long new_value = atol((char *) payload);
+    if (new_value > 0 && new_value <= 255) {
+      config_brightness = new_value;
+      FastLED.setBrightness(config_brightness);
     }
   }
 }
@@ -21,6 +29,7 @@ boolean mqtt_connect() {
   if (mqtt_client.connect(client_id, MQTT_USER, MQTT_PASS)) {
     LOGln("MQTT * Connected.");
     mqtt_client.subscribe(MQTT_TOPIC_MODE);
+    mqtt_client.subscribe(MQTT_TOPIC_BRIGHTNESS);
     mqtt_client.publish(MQTT_TOPIC_STATUS, "ONLINE");
   }
   return mqtt_client.connected();