diff --git a/maintainers/maintainer-list.nix b/maintainers/maintainer-list.nix
index 29766f108106251..9117bc74162c2e0 100644
--- a/maintainers/maintainer-list.nix
+++ b/maintainers/maintainer-list.nix
@@ -13,6 +13,33 @@
       keys = [{
         fingerprint = "AAAA BBBB CCCC DDDD EEEE  FFFF 0000 1111 2222 3333";
       }];
+
+      # Default true; should be set to false when the maintainer is not active.
+      #
+      # The most immediate use of this Boolean attribute is to mark maintainers
+      # that are not contributing to Nixpkgs from a long amount of time.
+      # Nonetheless it can be used to mark any *long term inactivity*, including
+      # but not limited to:
+      #
+      # - Sabbatical leave
+      # - Retirement
+      # - Intimate issues
+      # - Force majeure
+      #
+      # In principle, a third person can set this attribute; nonetheless, for
+      # the sake of a good etiquette, at least one contact attempt must be
+      # issued and carried out before effectively committing it.
+      #
+      # This attribute can be employed to many useful activities, including but
+      # not limited to:
+      #
+      # - Treewide automation
+      #   - Removal of inactive maintainers from packages
+      #   - Orphaning alerts
+      # - Filter automatic notifications
+      #
+
+      isActive = true;
     };
     ```