diff --git a/synapse/api/errors.py b/synapse/api/errors.py
index 84afe4fa37..8e9dd2aba6 100644
--- a/synapse/api/errors.py
+++ b/synapse/api/errors.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ class Codes(object):
     NOT_FOUND = "M_NOT_FOUND"
     UNKNOWN_TOKEN = "M_UNKNOWN_TOKEN"
     LIMIT_EXCEEDED = "M_LIMIT_EXCEEDED"
+    NEEDS_CAPTCHA = "M_NEEDS_CAPTCHA"
 
 
 class CodeMessageException(Exception):
diff --git a/synapse/config/captcha.py b/synapse/config/captcha.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..021da5c69b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/config/captcha.py
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# Copyright 2014 OpenMarket Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+from ._base import Config
+
+class CaptchaConfig(Config):
+
+    def __init__(self, args):
+        super(CaptchaConfig, self).__init__(args)
+        self.recaptcha_private_key = args.recaptcha_private_key
+        self.enable_registration_captcha = args.enable_registration_captcha
+
+    @classmethod
+    def add_arguments(cls, parser):
+        super(CaptchaConfig, cls).add_arguments(parser)
+        group = parser.add_argument_group("recaptcha")
+        group.add_argument(
+            "--recaptcha-private-key", type=str, default="YOUR_PRIVATE_KEY",
+            help="The matching private key for the web client's public key."
+        )
+        group.add_argument(
+            "--enable-registration-captcha", type=bool, default=False,
+            help="Enables ReCaptcha checks when registering, preventing signup "+
+            "unless a captcha is answered. Requires a valid ReCaptcha public/private key."
+        )
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/synapse/config/homeserver.py b/synapse/config/homeserver.py
index 76e2cdeddd..e16f2c733b 100644
--- a/synapse/config/homeserver.py
+++ b/synapse/config/homeserver.py
@@ -19,9 +19,10 @@ from .logger import LoggingConfig
 from .database import DatabaseConfig
 from .ratelimiting import RatelimitConfig
 from .repository import ContentRepositoryConfig
+from .captcha import CaptchaConfig
 
 class HomeServerConfig(TlsConfig, ServerConfig, DatabaseConfig, LoggingConfig,
-                       RatelimitConfig, ContentRepositoryConfig):
+                       RatelimitConfig, ContentRepositoryConfig, CaptchaConfig):
     pass
 
 if __name__=='__main__':
diff --git a/synapse/rest/register.py b/synapse/rest/register.py
index b8de3b250d..33a80b7a77 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/register.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/register.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 """This module contains REST servlets to do with registration: /register"""
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
-from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
+from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError, Codes
 from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 import json
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ class RegisterRestServlet(RestServlet):
         threepidCreds = None
         if 'threepidCreds' in register_json:
             threepidCreds = register_json['threepidCreds']
+            
+        if self.hs.config.enable_registration_captcha:
+            if not "challenge" in register_json or not "response" in register_json:
+                raise SynapseError(400, "Captcha response is required", errcode=Codes.NEEDS_CAPTCHA)
 
         handler = self.handlers.registration_handler
         (user_id, token) = yield handler.register(
diff --git a/webclient/components/matrix/matrix-service.js b/webclient/components/matrix/matrix-service.js
index 4754dc87da..cc785269a1 100644
--- a/webclient/components/matrix/matrix-service.js
+++ b/webclient/components/matrix/matrix-service.js
@@ -107,7 +107,6 @@ angular.module('matrixService', [])
                     challenge: challengeToken,
                     response: captchaEntry
                 };
-                console.log("Sending Captcha info: " + JSON.stringify(data.captcha));
             }   
 
             return doRequest("POST", path, undefined, data);