diff --git a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/config-sample.yaml b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/config-sample.yaml
index b4abbd5..94abfa8 100644
--- a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/config-sample.yaml
+++ b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/config-sample.yaml
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@
     #  * secure
     # "bootMode": "uefi"
     
+    # When terminating, a graceful powerdown is attempted. If it
+    # doesn't succeed within the given timeout (seconds) SIGTERM
+    # is sent to Qemu.
+    # "powerdownTimeout": 60
+    
     # RAM settings
     # "maximumRam": "1G"
     # "currentRam": "1G"
diff --git a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/Configuration.java b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/Configuration.java
index 31b3133..b2c0d10 100644
--- a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/Configuration.java
+++ b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/Configuration.java
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ class Configuration implements Dto {
         public String accelerator = "kvm";
         public String rtcBase = "utc";
         public String rtcClock = "rt";
+        public int powerdownTimeout = 60;
         public Drive[] drives;
         public Spice spice;
     }
diff --git a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/QemuMonitor.java b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/QemuMonitor.java
index f187685..ea5a35b 100644
--- a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/QemuMonitor.java
+++ b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/QemuMonitor.java
@@ -67,9 +67,8 @@ public class QemuMonitor extends Component {
         "powerdown", "{ \"execute\": \"system_powerdown\" }"));
 
     private Path socketPath;
-
+    private int powerdownTimeout;
     private SocketIOChannel monitorChannel;
-
     private Stop suspendedStop;
 
     /**
@@ -88,9 +87,11 @@ public class QemuMonitor extends Component {
      * {@link Runner} instead.
      *
      * @param socketPath the socket path
+     * @param powerdownTimeout 
      */
-    /* default */ void configure(Path socketPath) {
+    /* default */ void configure(Path socketPath, int powerdownTimeout) {
         this.socketPath = socketPath;
+        this.powerdownTimeout = powerdownTimeout;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -245,7 +246,7 @@ public class QemuMonitor extends Component {
                         suspendedStop = null;
                     }
                 }
-            }, Duration.ofMillis(5000));
+            }, Duration.ofSeconds(powerdownTimeout));
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/Runner.java b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/Runner.java
index 21a98cd..877dbbc 100644
--- a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/Runner.java
+++ b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/Runner.java
@@ -200,35 +200,6 @@ public class Runner extends Component {
                 // Invalid configuration, not used, problems already logged.
                 config = null;
             }
-            // Forward some values to child components
-            qemuMonitor.configure(config.monitorSocket);
-        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
-            logger.log(Level.SEVERE, e, () -> "Invalid configuration: "
-                + e.getMessage());
-            // Don't use default configuration
-            config = null;
-        }
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Handle the start event.
-     *
-     * @param event the event
-     */
-    @Handler
-    public void onStart(Start event) {
-        try {
-            if (config == null) {
-                // Missing configuration, fail
-                fire(new Stop());
-                return;
-            }
-
-            // Store process id
-            try (var pidFile = Files.newBufferedWriter(
-                Path.of(config.runtimeDir, "runner.pid"))) {
-                pidFile.write(ProcessHandle.current().pid() + "\n");
-            }
 
             // Prepare firmware files and add to config
             setFirmwarePaths();
@@ -240,13 +211,14 @@ public class Runner extends Component {
             qemuDefinition = Optional.ofNullable(tplData.get("qemu"))
                 .map(d -> new CommandDefinition("qemu", d)).orElse(null);
 
-            // Files to watch for
-            Files.deleteIfExists(config.swtpmSocket);
-            fire(new WatchFile(config.swtpmSocket));
-        } catch (IOException | TemplateException e) {
-            logger.log(Level.SEVERE, e,
-                () -> "Cannot configure runner: " + e.getMessage());
-            fire(new Stop());
+            // Forward some values to child components
+            qemuMonitor.configure(config.monitorSocket,
+                config.vm.powerdownTimeout);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException | IOException | TemplateException e) {
+            logger.log(Level.SEVERE, e, () -> "Invalid configuration: "
+                + e.getMessage());
+            // Don't use default configuration
+            config = null;
         }
     }
 
@@ -314,6 +286,36 @@ public class Runner extends Component {
         return mapper.readValue(out.toString(), JsonNode.class);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Handle the start event.
+     *
+     * @param event the event
+     */
+    @Handler
+    public void onStart(Start event) {
+        try {
+            if (config == null) {
+                // Missing configuration, fail
+                fire(new Stop());
+                return;
+            }
+
+            // Store process id
+            try (var pidFile = Files.newBufferedWriter(
+                Path.of(config.runtimeDir, "runner.pid"))) {
+                pidFile.write(ProcessHandle.current().pid() + "\n");
+            }
+
+            // Files to watch for
+            Files.deleteIfExists(config.swtpmSocket);
+            fire(new WatchFile(config.swtpmSocket));
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            logger.log(Level.SEVERE, e,
+                () -> "Cannot start runner: " + e.getMessage());
+            fire(new Stop());
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Handle the started event.
      *