diff --git a/README.org b/README.org
index c952b7b..79ab3af 100644
--- a/README.org
+++ b/README.org
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Python scripts to generate a mobile-friendly static site for tracking tcg cards
   - =lowpriority=: a list of decks you’re collecting that aren’t in mass decks
   - =trademedium=: whether to allow trading medium-priority cards away in exchange for high-priority cards (special cards will not be listed as tradeable)
   - =tradepost=: URL of your trade post on Dreamwidth
-  - =hiatus=:  set to =True= if you are on hiatus
+  - =hiatus=:  set to =True= or ="custom hiatus message"= if you are on hiatus
   - =faves=: a list of cards to showcase on the index page
   - =headerbackground=: an HTML colour to display behind your header image and set as a theme colour
   - =british=: =True= if you want “grey” to display on the site, =False= if you want “gray”
diff --git a/colors.py b/colors.py
index 97e40e0..0e9f823 100644
--- a/colors.py
+++ b/colors.py
@@ -744,7 +744,12 @@ def headerwrite(thefile,pagename):
         header.write("/log\">log</a>")
     header.write("</li>\n        <li><a href=\"" + variables.tradepost + "\" target=\"_blank\">trade post @ dw</a></li>\n      <li><a href=\"https://colors-tcg.eu/services.php\" target=\"_blank\">service links</a></li>\n      </ul>\n    </nav>\n    <main>\n")
     if variables.hiatus:
-        header.write("<div id=\"hiatus\">\n<h1>hiatus</h1>\n<p>currently on hiatus</p>\n</div>\n")
+        header.write("<div id=\"hiatus\">\n<h1>hiatus</h1>\n<p>")
+        if type(variables.hiatus) == str:
+            header.write(variables.hiatus)
+        else:
+            header.write("currently on hiatus")
+        header.write("</p>\n</div>\n")
     header.close()
 
 def footerwrite(thefile):