diff --git a/roles/searx/defaults/main.yml b/roles/searx/defaults/main.yml
index 0165f48..de1cc15 100644
--- a/roles/searx/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/searx/defaults/main.yml
@@ -8,3 +8,7 @@ searx_use_https: true
 
 # the subdomain link searx will be reachable under
 subdomain_alias: search
+
+searx_authentication:
+  - username: mysearxusername
+    password: JDJhJDE0JFdjUnQ5WWllcU8wa01xS0JBS2dlMy5zMEhRTmxqTXdIZmdjcTN6ZGFwRjJlYUdoSHAwRUhL # mysearxpassword
diff --git a/roles/searx/templates/upstream.json.j2 b/roles/searx/templates/upstream.json.j2
index 9966f1a..12fd8f0 100644
--- a/roles/searx/templates/upstream.json.j2
+++ b/roles/searx/templates/upstream.json.j2
@@ -26,6 +26,21 @@
     ],
 {% endif %}
     "handle": [
+{% if searx_authentication is not undefined and not none %}
+        {
+            "handler": "authentication",
+            "providers": { 
+                "http_basic": {
+                    "accounts": [
+                        {
+                            "username": "{{ searx_authentication.username }}",
+                            "password": "{{ searx_authentication.password }}"
+                        }
+                    ]
+                }
+            }
+        },
+{% endif %}
         {
             "handler": "reverse_proxy",
             "upstreams": [