diff --git a/irrd/conf/known_keys.py b/irrd/conf/known_keys.py
index 98e4da3..35914a1 100644
--- a/irrd/conf/known_keys.py
+++ b/irrd/conf/known_keys.py
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@
             "smtp": {},
             "recipient_override": {},
             "notification_header": {},
+            "username": {},
+            "password": {},
         },
         "auth": {
             "override_password": {},
diff --git a/irrd/utils/email.py b/irrd/utils/email.py
index 1991d5e..3f205b9 100644
--- a/irrd/utils/email.py
+++ b/irrd/utils/email.py
@@ -83,5 +83,9 @@ def send_email(recipient, subject, body) -> None:
 
     assert msg["From"]
     s = SMTP(get_setting("email.smtp"))
+
+    if username := get_setting("email.username"):
+        s.login(username, get_setting("email.password"))
+
     s.send_message(msg)
     s.quit()