diff --git a/python/obitools3/commands/import.pyx b/python/obitools3/commands/import.pyx
index 51a3db9..19f7c02 100755
--- a/python/obitools3/commands/import.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/commands/import.pyx
@@ -105,7 +105,11 @@ def run(config):
         if input is None:  # TODO check for bytes instead now?
             raise Exception("Could not open input URI")
         
-        entry_count = input[4]
+        if config['obi']['only'] is not None:
+            entry_count = min(input[4], config['obi']['only'])
+        else:
+            entry_count = input[4]
+        
         logger("info", "Importing %d entries", entry_count)
         
         # TODO a bit dirty?