diff --git a/src/scales/scale.linear.js b/src/scales/scale.linear.js
index ac8954fa1..ef7db5b6f 100644
--- a/src/scales/scale.linear.js
+++ b/src/scales/scale.linear.js
@@ -125,10 +125,12 @@
 			var maxTicks;
 
 			if (this.isHorizontal()) {
-				maxTicks = Math.min(11, Math.ceil(this.width / 50));
+				maxTicks = Math.min(this.options.ticks.maxTicksLimit ? this.options.ticks.maxTicksLimit : 11,
+				                    Math.ceil(this.width / 50));
 			} else {
 				// The factor of 2 used to scale the font size has been experimentally determined.
-				maxTicks = Math.min(11, Math.ceil(this.height / (2 * this.options.ticks.fontSize)));
+				maxTicks = Math.min(this.options.ticks.maxTicksLimit ? this.options.ticks.maxTicksLimit : 11,
+				                    Math.ceil(this.height / (2 * this.options.ticks.fontSize)));
 			}
 
 			// Make sure we always have at least 2 ticks