diff --git a/karma/ircplugin.py b/karma/ircplugin.py
index 69eb10d..aee8cc1 100644
--- a/karma/ircplugin.py
+++ b/karma/ircplugin.py
@@ -63,6 +63,11 @@ class Karma(Plugin):
             key = match[0] if match[0] else match[1]
             value = match[2]
 
+            log.debug("key length: %d", len(key))
+            if len(key) > KarmaKey._meta.get_field('key').max_length:
+                log.warning("given a key longer than %d, ignoring", KarmaKey._meta.get_field('key').max_length)
+                return
+
             karma_key, c = KarmaKey.objects.get_or_create(key=key)
 
             if value == '++':