diff --git a/i3pystatus/mail/mbox.py b/i3pystatus/mail/mbox.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57e70b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/i3pystatus/mail/mbox.py
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+import sys
+from i3pystatus.mail import Backend
+import subprocess
+
+class MboxMail(Backend):
+    """
+    Checks for local mail in mbox
+    """
+
+    settings = ()
+    required = ()
+
+    @property
+    def unread(self):
+        p = subprocess.Popen(['messages.mailutils'], stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
+        stdout, stderr = p.communicate()
+        stdout = stdout.decode('utf8')
+        assert p.returncode == 0, "messages.mailutils returned non-zero return code"
+        s_stuff, message_number = stdout.strip().rsplit(':', 1)
+        return int(message_number.strip())
+
+Backend = MboxMail