diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index 5b5e334..8dd78b5 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -94,6 +94,8 @@ Available settings
     LDAP_AUTH_CONNECT_TIMEOUT = None
     LDAP_AUTH_RECEIVE_TIMEOUT = None
 
+    # Set connection pool `active` parameter on the underlying `ldap3` library.
+    LDAP_AUTH_POOL_ACTIVE = True
 
 Microsoft Active Directory support
 ----------------------------------
diff --git a/django_python3_ldap/conf.py b/django_python3_ldap/conf.py
index f598759..0c09ad8 100644
--- a/django_python3_ldap/conf.py
+++ b/django_python3_ldap/conf.py
@@ -136,5 +136,10 @@ def __init__(self, settings):
         default=None
     )
 
+    LDAP_AUTH_POOL_ACTIVE = LazySetting(
+        name="LDAP_AUTH_POOL_ACTIVE",
+        default=True
+    )
+
 
 settings = LazySettings(settings)
diff --git a/django_python3_ldap/ldap.py b/django_python3_ldap/ldap.py
index 922e0cd..6205108 100644
--- a/django_python3_ldap/ldap.py
+++ b/django_python3_ldap/ldap.py
@@ -162,7 +162,11 @@ def connection(**kwargs):
         password = kwargs.pop("password")
         username = format_username(kwargs)
     # Build server pool
-    server_pool = ldap3.ServerPool(None, ldap3.RANDOM, active=True, exhaust=5)
+    server_pool = ldap3.ServerPool(
+        None, ldap3.RANDOM,
+        active=settings.LDAP_AUTH_POOL_ACTIVE,
+        exhaust=5
+    )
     auth_url = settings.LDAP_AUTH_URL
     if not isinstance(auth_url, list):
         auth_url = [auth_url]
diff --git a/django_python3_ldap/tests.py b/django_python3_ldap/tests.py
index dc7cbe6..207ae91 100644
--- a/django_python3_ldap/tests.py
+++ b/django_python3_ldap/tests.py
@@ -149,6 +149,18 @@ def testAuthenticateWithFailedRebind(self):
             )
             self.assertIs(user, None)
 
+    def testAuthenticateWithLimitedRetries(self):
+        # simulate offline server
+        with self.settings(
+            LDAP_AUTH_URL=["ldap://example.com:389"],
+            LDAP_AUTH_POOL_ACTIVE=1,
+        ):
+            user = authenticate(
+                username=settings.LDAP_AUTH_TEST_USER_USERNAME,
+                password=settings.LDAP_AUTH_TEST_USER_PASSWORD,
+            )
+        self.assertEqual(user, None)
+
     # User synchronisation.
 
     def testSyncUsersCreatesUsers(self):