diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e0edc4d..2163fea 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ Options:
    -v, --version            print version and exit
    -s, --schema             validate json according to schema
    -i, --include            array of file paths to include (default: *.json)
+   -e, --exclude            array of file paths to exclude (default: node_modules/**)
    -a, --allow              rules for definitions and keys to allow (example: additionalProperties:name:MyDefinition)
 ```
 
diff --git a/src/index.js b/src/index.js
index e7dc837..f14da03 100644
--- a/src/index.js
+++ b/src/index.js
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ function validator() {
 		userConfig.include = args["--include"];
 	}
 
+	if (args["--exclude"]) {
+		userConfig.exclude = args["--exclude"];
+	}
+
 	if (args["--allow"]) {
 		userConfig.allow = args["--allow"].reduce(
 			(acc, rule) => {
@@ -160,6 +164,7 @@ function validator() {
 			},
 			{
 				include: config.include,
+				exclude: config.exclude,
 			},
 		);
 	} catch (_) {