diff --git a/irc.py b/irc.py
index 7b8b037..a35f9f2 100644
--- a/irc.py
+++ b/irc.py
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ class IRC(object):
     # Public methods
 
     def start(self, nick, password, sasl_nick=None):
-        """ Start the IRC layer. Manage authentication as well """
+        """ Start the IRC layer. Manage authentication as well
+        Return True if authentication succeed, False if failed"""
         sasl_nick = sasl_nick or nick
         self.nick = nick
         self.running = True
@@ -37,10 +38,19 @@ class IRC(object):
         self._send(f"USER {nick} * * :{nick}")
         self._send(f"NICK {nick}")
         self._waitfor(lambda m: "NOTICE" in m and "/AUTH" in m)
-        self._send(f"AUTH {sasl_nick}:{password}")
-        self._waitfor(lambda m: "You are now logged in" in m)
 
-        self.connected = True
+        for i in range(3):
+            self._send(f"AUTH {sasl_nick}:{password}")
+            msg = self._waitfor(lambda m: "You are now logged in" in m or "Authentication failed" in m)
+
+            if "You are now logged in" in msg:
+                self.connected = True
+                return True
+
+        logging.info(f"Authentication for {nick} ({sasl_nick}) failed")
+        self.connected = False
+        self._handler.stop()
+        return False
 
     def stop(self):
         """ Stop the IRC layer """
diff --git a/shoutbox.py b/shoutbox.py
index c7f2597..d690693 100644
--- a/shoutbox.py
+++ b/shoutbox.py
@@ -106,8 +106,8 @@ class Shoutbox(object):
                                     datetime.datetime.now()
                                 ]
                                 # Start a thread for new client
-                                self.irc_clients[author][0].start(f"{author}[s]", password, nick)
-                                logging.debug(f"{author} has joined IRC")
+                                if self.irc_clients[author][0].start(f"{author}[s]", password, nick):
+                                    logging.debug(f"{author} has joined IRC")
                             # client is known but AFK
                             else:
                                 self.irc_clients[author][1] = datetime.datetime.now()