diff --git a/octodns/record.py b/octodns/record.py
index 554d98b..2f67c60 100644
--- a/octodns/record.py
+++ b/octodns/record.py
@@ -95,6 +95,10 @@ class Record(object):
         except KeyError:
             raise Exception('Unknown record type: "{}"'.format(_type))
         reasons = _class.validate(name, data)
+        try:
+            lenient |= data['octodns']['lenient']
+        except KeyError:
+            pass
         if reasons:
             if lenient:
                 cls.log.warn(ValidationError.build_message(fqdn, reasons))
diff --git a/tests/test_octodns_record.py b/tests/test_octodns_record.py
index 46a5e65..e7eaa61 100644
--- a/tests/test_octodns_record.py
+++ b/tests/test_octodns_record.py
@@ -733,6 +733,16 @@ class TestRecordValidation(TestCase):
             }, lenient=True)
         self.assertEquals(('value',), ctx.exception.args)
 
+        # no exception if we're in lenient mode from config
+        Record.new(self.zone, 'www', {
+            'octodns': {
+                'lenient': True
+            },
+            'type': 'A',
+            'ttl': -1,
+            'value': '1.2.3.4',
+        }, lenient=True)
+
     def test_A_and_values_mixin(self):
         # doesn't blow up
         Record.new(self.zone, '', {