diff --git a/local_config.py.skel b/local_config.py.skel
index a1f3e2d..2451593 100644
--- a/local_config.py.skel
+++ b/local_config.py.skel
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ config['hist_max_count'] = 5
 config['hist_max_time'] = 10 * 60
 
 config['uptime'] = -time.time()
+config['request_counter'] = 0
+
 
 # the "dice" feature will use more efficient random data (0) for given users
 config['enhanced-random-user'] = ( 'FIXME', 'FIXME' )
@@ -24,3 +26,7 @@ def conf(val):
 	if val in config.keys():
 		return config[val]
 	return None
+
+def set_conf(key, val):
+	config[key] = val
+	return None
diff --git a/plugins.py b/plugins.py
index 1207d5b..4196e02 100644
--- a/plugins.py
+++ b/plugins.py
@@ -175,11 +175,11 @@ def command_uptime(args):
 		plural_request = 's'
 
 		if 1 == u: plural_uptime = ''
-		if 1 == request_counter: plural_request = ''
+		if 1 == conf('request_counter'): plural_request = ''
 
 		logger('info', 'sent statistics')
 		return {
-			'msg': args['reply_user'] + (''': happily serving for %d second%s, %d request%s so far.''' %(u, plural_uptime, request_counter, plural_request))
+			'msg': args['reply_user'] + (''': happily serving for %d second%s, %d request%s so far.''' %(u, plural_uptime, conf('request_counter'), plural_request))
 		}
 
 def command_ping(args):
diff --git a/urlbot.py b/urlbot.py
index 8dc8c4e..61fbd70 100755
--- a/urlbot.py
+++ b/urlbot.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 
 import sys, os, re, time, urllib, pickle, random, HTMLParser, stat
-from local_config import conf
+from local_config import conf, set_conf
 
 BUFSIZ = 8192
 delay = 0.100 # seconds
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ fifo_path = os.path.join(basedir, 'cmdfifo')
 # rate limiting to 5 messages per 10 minutes
 hist_ts = []
 hist_flag = True
-request_counter = 0
 
 parser = None
 
@@ -106,8 +105,7 @@ def extract_title(url):
 	return (-1, 'error')
 
 def chat_write(message, prefix='/say '):
-	global request_counter
-	request_counter += 1
+	set_conf('request_counter', conf('request_counter') + 1)
 
 	if debug_enabled():
 		print message
@@ -243,8 +241,6 @@ plugins.ratelimit_touch = ratelimit_touch
 plugins.random = random
 plugins.time = time
 
-plugins.request_counter = request_counter
-
 plugins.register_all()
 
 if '__main__' == __name__: