diff --git a/stress/config.py b/stress/config.py
index 0dce816..16972d8 100755
--- a/stress/config.py
+++ b/stress/config.py
@@ -46,3 +46,8 @@
     def controller(self):
         """Controller host"""
         return self.get("controller", None)
+
+    @property
+    def max_instances(self):
+        """Maximum number of instances to create during test"""
+        return self.get("max_instances", 16)