diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4d3940f..859e680 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ dottie.get(values, ['some.dot.included', 'key']); // returns 'barfoo'
 *Note: lodash.get() also works fine for this* 
 
 ### Set value
+
 Sets nested value, creates nested structure if needed
 
 ```js
@@ -42,6 +43,8 @@ dottie.set(values, 'some.nested.object', someValue, {
 });
 ```
 
+If you accept arbitrary/user-defined paths to `set` you should call `Object.preventExtensions(values)` first to guard against potential pollution.
+
 ### Transform object
 Transform object from keys with dottie notation to nested objects
 
diff --git a/dottie.js b/dottie.js
index e435093..d5aa55b 100644
--- a/dottie.js
+++ b/dottie.js
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@
   // Set nested value
   Dottie.set = function(object, path, value, options) {
     var pieces = Array.isArray(path) ? path : path.split('.'), current = object, piece, length = pieces.length;
+    if (pieces[0] === '__proto__') return;
 
     if (typeof current !== 'object') {
         throw new Error('Parent is not an object.');
@@ -140,6 +141,9 @@
 
       if (key.indexOf(options.delimiter) !== -1) {
         pieces = key.split(options.delimiter);
+
+        if (pieces[0] === '__proto__') break;
+
         piecesLength = pieces.length;
         current = transformed;
 
diff --git a/test/set.test.js b/test/set.test.js
index b0a39aa..9b611da 100644
--- a/test/set.test.js
+++ b/test/set.test.js
@@ -65,4 +65,12 @@ describe("dottie.set", function () {
     });
     expect(data.foo.bar.baz).to.equal('someValue');
   });
+
+  it('should not attempt to set __proto__', function () {
+    var data = {};
+
+    dottie.set(data, '__proto__.pollution', 'polluted');
+
+    expect(data.__proto__.pollution).to.be.undefined;
+  });
 });
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/transform.test.js b/test/transform.test.js
index 461b25b..e2fb6dc 100644
--- a/test/transform.test.js
+++ b/test/transform.test.js
@@ -145,4 +145,16 @@ describe("dottie.transform", function () {
     expect(transformed.user.location.city).to.equal('Zanzibar City');
     expect(transformed.project.title).to.equal('dottie');
   });
+
+  it("should guard against prototype pollution", function () {
+    var values = {
+      'user.name': 'John Doe',
+      '__proto__.pollution': 'pollution'
+    };
+
+    var transformed = dottie.transform(values);
+    expect(transformed.user).not.to.equal(undefined);
+    expect(transformed.user.name).to.equal('John Doe');
+    expect(transformed.__proto__.pollution).to.be.undefined;
+  });
 });