diff --git a/irc.py b/irc.py
index f16ea1b..606b6a6 100644
--- a/irc.py
+++ b/irc.py
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ class IRC(object):
 
         self.connected = True
 
+    def stop(self):
+        """ Stop the IRC layer """
+        self._handler.terminate()
+
     def run(self):
         """ Handle new messages """
         while True: