diff --git a/app/models/debate.rb b/app/models/debate.rb
index 836e3bf34..28181101a 100644
--- a/app/models/debate.rb
+++ b/app/models/debate.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 require 'numeric'
 class Debate < ActiveRecord::Base
+
+  TITLE_LENGTH = Debate.columns.find{|c| c.name == 'title'}.limit
+
   acts_as_votable
   acts_as_commentable
   acts_as_taggable
diff --git a/app/views/debates/_form.html.erb b/app/views/debates/_form.html.erb
index 180ada9e6..28a0419a8 100644
--- a/app/views/debates/_form.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/debates/_form.html.erb
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
     <p><strong><%= t("debates.form.debate_title") %></strong></p>
     <p><%= t("debates.form.title_instructions") %></p>
-    <%= f.text_field :title %>
+    <%= f.text_field :title, maxlength: Debate::TITLE_LENGTH %>
 
   <br/>
   <p><strong><%= t("debates.form.debate_text") %></strong></p>