diff --git a/core/rspamd/conf/antivirus.conf b/core/rspamd/conf/antivirus.conf
index a0582a0d..57cde1b3 100644
--- a/core/rspamd/conf/antivirus.conf
+++ b/core/rspamd/conf/antivirus.conf
@@ -4,5 +4,8 @@ clamav {
   symbol = "CLAM_VIRUS";
   type = "clamav";
   servers = "{{ ANTIVIRUS_ADDRESS }}";
+  {% if ANTIVIRUS_ACTION|default('discard') == 'reject' %}
+  action = "reject"
+  {% endif %}
 }
 {% endif %}
diff --git a/docs/configuration.rst b/docs/configuration.rst
index 46429b61..386fa41c 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.rst
+++ b/docs/configuration.rst
@@ -131,6 +131,13 @@ See the `python docs`_ for more information.
 
 .. _`python docs`: https://docs.python.org/3.6/library/logging.html#logging-levels
 
+Antivirus settings
+------------------
+
+The ``ANTIVIRUS_ACTION`` switches behaviour if a virus is detected. It defaults to 'discard',
+so any detected virus is silently discarded. If set to 'reject', rspamd is configured to reject
+virus mails during SMTP dialogue, so the sender will receive a reject message.
+
 Infrastructure settings
 -----------------------
 
diff --git a/towncrier/newsfragments/1259.feature b/towncrier/newsfragments/1259.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e726a6a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/towncrier/newsfragments/1259.feature
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Allow to reject virus mails by setting ANTIVITUS_ACTION=reject
\ No newline at end of file