diff --git a/include/client.h b/include/client.h
index 5ed61a7f..c0b0edf9 100644
--- a/include/client.h
+++ b/include/client.h
@@ -171,9 +171,10 @@ enum Flag
     FLAG_ACCOUNT,                   /**< account name has been set */
     FLAG_HIDDENHOST,                /**< user's host is hidden */
     FLAG_CAP302,                    /**< client supports IRCv3.2 */
-    FLAG_LAST_FLAG,                 /**< number of flags */
+    FLAG_EXEMPTFLOOD,               /**< Client is exempt from flood limits */
     FLAG_LOCAL_UMODES = FLAG_LOCOP, /**< First local mode flag */
-    FLAG_GLOBAL_UMODES = FLAG_OPER  /**< First global mode flag */
+    FLAG_GLOBAL_UMODES = FLAG_OPER, /**< First global mode flag */
+    FLAG_LAST_FLAG                  /**< number of flags */
   };
 
 /** Declare flagset type for operator privileges. */
@@ -614,6 +615,8 @@ struct Client {
 #define IsHiddenHost(x)         HasFlag(x, FLAG_HIDDENHOST)
 /** Return non-zero if the client has an active PING request. */
 #define IsPingSent(x)           HasFlag(x, FLAG_PINGSENT)
+/** Return non-zero if the client is exempt from flood limits. */
+#define IsExemptFlood(x)        HasFlag(x, FLAG_EXEMPTFLOOD)
 
 /** Return non-zero if the client has operator or server privileges. */
 #define IsPrivileged(x)         (IsAnOper(x) || IsServer(x))
@@ -660,6 +663,8 @@ struct Client {
 #define SetHiddenHost(x)        SetFlag(x, FLAG_HIDDENHOST)
 /** Mark a client as having a pending PING. */
 #define SetPingSent(x)          SetFlag(x, FLAG_PINGSENT)
+/** Mark a client as being exempt from flood limits. */
+#define SetExemptFlood(x)       SetFlag(x, FLAG_EXEMPTFLOOD)
 
 /** Return non-zero if \a sptr sees \a acptr as an operator. */
 #define SeeOper(sptr,acptr) (IsAnOper(acptr) && (HasPriv(acptr, PRIV_DISPLAY) \
diff --git a/ircd/s_bsd.c b/ircd/s_bsd.c
index 369faaca..71536378 100644
--- a/ircd/s_bsd.c
+++ b/ircd/s_bsd.c
@@ -636,8 +636,15 @@ static int read_packet(struct Client *cptr, int socket_ready)
     if (DBufLength(&(cli_recvQ(cptr))) > GetMaxFlood(cptr))
       return exit_client(cptr, cptr, &me, "Excess Flood");
 
+    /* If client has a higher sendq limit than default, 
+     * mark them flood exempt to avoid throttling 
+     */
+    if (GetMaxFlood(cptr) > feature_int(FEAT_CLIENT_FLOOD)) {
+      SetExemptFlood(cptr);
+    }
+
     while (DBufLength(&(cli_recvQ(cptr))) && !NoNewLine(cptr) && 
-           (IsTrusted(cptr) || cli_since(cptr) - CurrentTime < 10))
+           (IsTrusted(cptr) || IsExemptFlood(cptr) || cli_since(cptr) - CurrentTime < 10))
     {
       dolen = dbuf_getmsg(&(cli_recvQ(cptr)), cli_buffer(cptr), BUFSIZE);
       /*
@@ -682,14 +689,16 @@ static int read_packet(struct Client *cptr, int socket_ready)
       }
     }
 
-    /* If there's still data to process, wait 2 seconds first */
+    /* If there's still data to process, wait 2 seconds first,
+     * unless the user is exempt from throttling
+     */
     if (DBufLength(&(cli_recvQ(cptr))) && !NoNewLine(cptr) &&
-	!t_onqueue(&(cli_proc(cptr))))
+	      !IsExemptFlood(cptr) && !t_onqueue(&(cli_proc(cptr))))
     {
       Debug((DEBUG_LIST, "Adding client process timer for %C", cptr));
       cli_freeflag(cptr) |= FREEFLAG_TIMER;
       timer_add(&(cli_proc(cptr)), client_timer_callback, cli_connect(cptr),
-		TT_RELATIVE, 2);
+		    TT_RELATIVE, 2);
     }
   }
   return 1;