diff --git a/minecraft-server/Dockerfile b/minecraft-server/Dockerfile
index 05ff0d68..2a88f0c9 100644
--- a/minecraft-server/Dockerfile
+++ b/minecraft-server/Dockerfile
@@ -31,4 +31,4 @@ ENV MC_IMAGE=YES
 ENV UID=1000
 ENV MOTD A Minecraft Server Powered by Docker
 ENV JVM_OPTS -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M
-ENV TYPE=VANILLA VERSION=LATEST LEVEL=world PVP=true
+ENV TYPE=VANILLA VERSION=LATEST LEVEL=world PVP=true DIFFICULTY=hard
diff --git a/minecraft-server/start-minecraft.sh b/minecraft-server/start-minecraft.sh
index 0b0cc95d..8be2a26b 100755
--- a/minecraft-server/start-minecraft.sh
+++ b/minecraft-server/start-minecraft.sh
@@ -97,6 +97,28 @@ if [ ! -e server.properties ]; then
     sed -i "/pvp\s*=/ c pvp=$PVP" /data/server.properties
   fi
 
+  if [ -n "$DIFFICULTY" ]; then
+    case $DIFFICULTY in
+      peaceful)
+        DIFFICULTY=0
+        ;;
+      easy)
+        DIFFICULTY=1
+        ;;
+      normal)
+        DIFFICULTY=2
+        ;;
+      hard)
+        DIFFICULTY=3
+        ;;
+      *)
+        echo "DIFFICULTY must by peaceful, easy, normal, or hard."
+        exit 1
+        ;;
+    esac
+    sed -i "/difficulty\s*=/ c difficulty=$DIFFICULTY" /data/server.properties
+  fi
+
   if [ -n "$MODE" ]; then
     case ${MODE,,?} in
       0|1|2|3)