diff --git a/ankiqt/config.py b/ankiqt/config.py
index 5e1e1c882..153c55772 100644
--- a/ankiqt/config.py
+++ b/ankiqt/config.py
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ class Config(dict):
             'showProgress': True,
             'recentColours': ["#000000", "#0000ff"],
             'preventEditUntilAnswer': False,
+            'numBackups': 20,
             }
         for (k,v) in fields.items():
             if not self.has_key(k):
diff --git a/ankiqt/ui/main.py b/ankiqt/ui/main.py
index f0b863233..d1b6a7e50 100644
--- a/ankiqt/ui/main.py
+++ b/ankiqt/ui/main.py
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ class AnkiQt(QMainWindow):
         self.setupAnchors()
         self.setupToolbar()
         self.setupProgressInfo()
+        self.setupBackups()
         if self.config['mainWindowState']:
             self.restoreGeometry(self.config['mainWindowGeom'])
             self.restoreState(self.config['mainWindowState'])
@@ -2443,5 +2444,10 @@ Consider backing up your media directory first."""))
     ##########################################################################
 
     def setupMisc(self):
+        # if they've just upgraded, set created time based on deck age
         if time.time() - self.config['created'] < 60 and self.deck:
             self.config['created'] = self.deck.created
+
+    def setupBackups(self):
+        # set backups
+        anki.deck.numBackups = self.config['numBackups']