diff --git a/bridge/config/config.go b/bridge/config/config.go
index 0fa76b52..30368f66 100644
--- a/bridge/config/config.go
+++ b/bridge/config/config.go
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ type Protocol struct {
 }
 
 type ChannelOptions struct {
-	Key        string // irc
+	Key        string // irc, xmpp
 	WebhookURL string // discord
 }
 
diff --git a/bridge/xmpp/xmpp.go b/bridge/xmpp/xmpp.go
index 0e2d951c..4ace2abd 100644
--- a/bridge/xmpp/xmpp.go
+++ b/bridge/xmpp/xmpp.go
@@ -65,7 +65,12 @@ func (b *Bxmpp) Disconnect() error {
 }
 
 func (b *Bxmpp) JoinChannel(channel config.ChannelInfo) error {
-	b.xc.JoinMUCNoHistory(channel.Name+"@"+b.GetString("Muc"), b.GetString("Nick"))
+	if channel.Options.Key != "" {
+		b.Log.Debugf("using key %s for channel %s", channel.Options.Key, channel.Name)
+		b.xc.JoinProtectedMUC(channel.Name+"@"+b.GetString("Muc"), b.GetString("Nick"), channel.Options.Key, xmpp.NoHistory, 0, nil)
+	} else {
+		b.xc.JoinMUCNoHistory(channel.Name+"@"+b.GetString("Muc"), b.GetString("Nick"))
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/matterbridge.toml.sample b/matterbridge.toml.sample
index 2a77bca1..1f942e50 100644
--- a/matterbridge.toml.sample
+++ b/matterbridge.toml.sample
@@ -1392,9 +1392,9 @@ enable=true
     #REQUIRED
     channel="#testing"
 
-        #OPTIONAL - only used for IRC protocol at the moment
+        #OPTIONAL - only used for IRC and XMPP protocols at the moment
         [gateway.in.options]
-        #OPTIONAL - your irc channel key
+        #OPTIONAL - your irc / xmpp channel key
         key="yourkey"
 
 
@@ -1403,9 +1403,9 @@ enable=true
     account="irc.freenode"
     channel="#testing"
 
-        #OPTIONAL - only used for IRC protocol at the moment
+        #OPTIONAL - only used for IRC and XMPP protocols at the moment
         [gateway.out.options]
-        #OPTIONAL - your irc channel key
+        #OPTIONAL - your irc / xmpp channel key
         key="yourkey"
 
     #[[gateway.inout]] can be used when then channel will be used to receive from 
@@ -1414,9 +1414,9 @@ enable=true
     account="mattermost.work"
     channel="off-topic"
 
-        #OPTIONAL - only used for IRC protocol at the moment
+        #OPTIONAL - only used for IRC and XMPP protocols at the moment
         [gateway.inout.options]
-        #OPTIONAL - your irc channel key
+        #OPTIONAL - your irc / xmpp channel key
         key="yourkey"
 
     [[gateway.inout]]