diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/discourse/initializers/1_init_message_bus.js b/app/assets/javascripts/discourse/initializers/1_init_message_bus.js
index 17c114ff827..59b7bf130cb 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/discourse/initializers/1_init_message_bus.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/discourse/initializers/1_init_message_bus.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Discourse.addInitializer(function() {
   Discourse.MessageBus.subscribe("/global/read-only", function (enabled) {
     Discourse.set("isReadOnly", enabled);
     if (enabled && !Discourse.User.currentProp("hideReadOnlyAlert")) {
-      bootbox.alert(I18n.t("read_only_mode_enabled"));
+      bootbox.alert(I18n.t("read_only_mode.enabled"));
     }
   });
 
diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/discourse/routes/application_route.js b/app/assets/javascripts/discourse/routes/application_route.js
index babec6215af..a63d9c51607 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/discourse/routes/application_route.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/discourse/routes/application_route.js
@@ -11,8 +11,12 @@ Discourse.ApplicationRoute = Em.Route.extend({
   actions: {
 
     showLogin: function() {
-      Discourse.Route.showModal(this, 'login');
-      this.controllerFor('login').resetForm();
+      if (Discourse.get("isReadOnly")) {
+        bootbox.alert(I18n.t("read_only_mode.login_disabled"));
+      } else {
+        Discourse.Route.showModal(this, 'login');
+        this.controllerFor('login').resetForm();
+      }
     },
 
     showCreateAccount: function() {
diff --git a/config/locales/client.en.yml b/config/locales/client.en.yml
index 18ff0c17e70..221f0a81345 100644
--- a/config/locales/client.en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/client.en.yml
@@ -411,7 +411,10 @@ en:
     loading: "Loading..."
     close: "Close"
     assets_changed_confirm: "Discourse has been updated, would you like to refresh to get the latest version?"
-    read_only_mode_enabled: "An administrator has enabled read-only mode. You can continue to browse the site but interations won't work properly."
+    read_only_mode:
+      enabled: "An administrator has enabled read-only mode. You can continue to browse the site but interations won't work properly."
+      login_disabled: "Login is disabled while the site is in read only mode."
+
     learn_more: "learn more..."
 
     year: 'year'