diff --git a/configs/common/Options.py b/configs/common/Options.py
index 0ddd2f06d..1da831e1f 100644
--- a/configs/common/Options.py
+++ b/configs/common/Options.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ parser.add_option("--fastmem", action="store_true")
 # Run duration options
 parser.add_option("-m", "--maxtick", type="int")
 parser.add_option("--maxtime", type="float")
+parser.add_option("--maxinsts", type="int")
 parser.add_option("--prog_intvl", type="int")
 
 
diff --git a/configs/common/Simulation.py b/configs/common/Simulation.py
index d7dde241c..23dfad6c6 100644
--- a/configs/common/Simulation.py
+++ b/configs/common/Simulation.py
@@ -95,6 +95,10 @@ def run(options, root, testsys, cpu_class):
         for i in xrange(np):
             testsys.cpu[i].progress_interval = options.prog_intvl
 
+    if options.maxinsts:
+        for i in xrange(np):
+            testsys.cpu[i].max_insts_any_thread = options.maxinsts
+
     if cpu_class:
         switch_cpus = [cpu_class(defer_registration=True, cpu_id=(np+i))
                        for i in xrange(np)]