diff --git a/modules/silence.py b/modules/silence.py
index 4dda2894..895644d1 100644
--- a/modules/silence.py
+++ b/modules/silence.py
@@ -17,13 +17,24 @@ class Module(ModuleManager.BaseModule):
         return False
 
     @utils.hook("received.command.silence", channel_only=True)
+    @utils.kwarg("help", "Prevent me saying anything for a period of time "
+        "(default: 5 minutes)")
+    @utils.kwarg("usage", "[+time]")
+    @utils.kwarg("require_mode", "high")
+    @utils.kwarg("permission", "silence")
     def silence(self, event):
         """
         :help: Silence me for 5 minutes
         :require_mode: high
         :permission: silence
         """
-        silence_until = time.time()+SILENCE_TIME
+        duration = SILENCE_TIME
+        if event["args"] and event["args_split"][0].startswith("+"):
+            duration = utils.from_pretty_time(event["args_split"][0][1:])
+            if duration == None:
+                raise utils.EventError("Invalid duration provided")
+
+        silence_until = time.time()+duration
         event["target"].set_setting("silence-until", silence_until)
         event["stdout"].write("Ok, I'll be back")