diff --git a/OperUp/plugin.py b/OperUp/plugin.py
index be8e30a..41b1283 100644
--- a/OperUp/plugin.py
+++ b/OperUp/plugin.py
@@ -52,12 +52,18 @@ class OperUp(callbacks.Plugin):
         422 (MOTD not found)."""
         if not self.registryValue('autoOper'):
             return
+        # Don't try to oper more than once per network: otherwise we can hit
+        # infinite loops if OPERMOTDs also use the regular MOTD numerics
+        # (e.g. InspIRCd)
+        if hasattr(irc, '_operup_tried_oper'):
+            return
         if irc.network in self.registryValue('operNets'):
             if self.registryValue("operName") and \
                     self.registryValue("operPass"):
                 irc.sendMsg(ircmsgs.IrcMsg(command="OPER",
                                            args=[self.registryValue("operName"),
                                                  self.registryValue("operPass")]))
+                irc._operup_tried_oper = True
             else:
                 self.log.warning("OperUp: Bot is set to oper on network %s, but"
                                  " operName and/or operPass are not defined!", irc.network)
@@ -103,6 +109,7 @@ class OperUp(callbacks.Plugin):
                 irc.sendMsg(ircmsgs.IrcMsg(command="OPER",
                                            args=[self.registryValue("operName"),
                                                  self.registryValue("operPass")]))
+                irc._operup_tried_oper = True
                 irc.replySuccess()
             else:
                 irc.error(_("Either the operName or the operPass "