diff --git a/agent/agent.h b/agent/agent.h
index 23982626d..2bdee97c8 100644
--- a/agent/agent.h
+++ b/agent/agent.h
@@ -126,8 +126,11 @@ struct
   /* The minimum number of non-alpha characters in a passphrase.  */
   unsigned int min_passphrase_nonalpha;
 
-  /* File name with a patternfile or NULL if not enabled.  */
+  /* File name with a patternfile or NULL if not enabled.  If the
+   * second one is set, it is used for symmetric only encryption
+   * instead of the former. */
   const char *check_passphrase_pattern;
+  const char *check_sym_passphrase_pattern;
 
   /* If not 0 the user is asked to change his passphrase after these
      number of days.  */
@@ -302,6 +305,7 @@ struct pin_entry_info_s
   int min_digits; /* min. number of digits required or 0 for freeform entry */
   int max_digits; /* max. number of allowed digits allowed*/
   int max_tries;  /* max. number of allowed tries.  */
+  unsigned int constraints_flags;  /* CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_... */
   int failed_tries; /* Number of tries so far failed.  */
   int with_qualitybar; /* Set if the quality bar should be displayed.  */
   int with_repeat;  /* Request repetition of the passphrase.  */
@@ -524,7 +528,11 @@ gpg_error_t agent_pkdecrypt (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *desc_text,
                              membuf_t *outbuf, int *r_padding);
 
 /*-- genkey.c --*/
-int check_passphrase_constraints (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw, int no_empty,
+#define CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NOT_EMPTY  1
+#define CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NEW_SYMKEY 2
+
+int check_passphrase_constraints (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw,
+                                  unsigned int flags,
 				  char **failed_constraint);
 gpg_error_t agent_ask_new_passphrase (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *prompt,
                                       char **r_passphrase);
diff --git a/agent/call-pinentry.c b/agent/call-pinentry.c
index ed37363da..585ddefac 100644
--- a/agent/call-pinentry.c
+++ b/agent/call-pinentry.c
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ struct entry_parm_s
   size_t size;
   unsigned char *buffer;
   int status;
+  unsigned int constraints_flags;
 };
 
 
@@ -865,10 +866,17 @@ generate_pin (void)
 
 
 /* Handle inquiries. */
+struct inq_cb_parm_s
+{
+  assuan_context_t ctx;
+  unsigned int flags;  /* CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_... */
+};
+
+
 static gpg_error_t
 inq_cb (void *opaque, const char *line)
 {
-  assuan_context_t ctx = opaque;
+  struct inq_cb_parm_s *parm = opaque;
   gpg_error_t err;
   const char *s;
   char *pin;
@@ -884,10 +892,10 @@ inq_cb (void *opaque, const char *line)
       else
         {
           percent = estimate_passphrase_quality (pin);
-          if (check_passphrase_constraints (NULL, pin, 0, NULL))
+          if (check_passphrase_constraints (NULL, pin, parm->flags, NULL))
             percent = -percent;
           snprintf (numbuf, sizeof numbuf, "%d", percent);
-          err = assuan_send_data (ctx, numbuf, strlen (numbuf));
+          err = assuan_send_data (parm->ctx, numbuf, strlen (numbuf));
           xfree (pin);
         }
     }
@@ -909,14 +917,14 @@ inq_cb (void *opaque, const char *line)
         err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
       else
         {
-          if (check_passphrase_constraints (NULL, pin, 0, &errtext))
+          if (check_passphrase_constraints (NULL, pin, parm->flags, &errtext))
             {
               if (errtext)
                 {
                   /* Unescape the percent-escaped errtext because
                      assuan_send_data escapes it again. */
                   errtextlen = percent_unescape_inplace (errtext, 0);
-                  err = assuan_send_data (ctx, errtext, errtextlen);
+                  err = assuan_send_data (parm->ctx, errtext, errtextlen);
                 }
               else
                 {
@@ -926,7 +934,7 @@ inq_cb (void *opaque, const char *line)
             }
           else
             {
-              err = assuan_send_data (ctx, NULL, 0);
+              err = assuan_send_data (parm->ctx, NULL, 0);
             }
           xfree (errtext);
           xfree (pin);
@@ -945,11 +953,11 @@ inq_cb (void *opaque, const char *line)
               err = gpg_error (GPG_ERR_GENERAL);
               goto leave;
             }
-          if (!check_passphrase_constraints (NULL, pin, 0, NULL))
+          if (!check_passphrase_constraints (NULL, pin, parm->flags, NULL))
             {
-              assuan_begin_confidential (ctx);
-              err = assuan_send_data (ctx, pin, strlen (pin));
-              assuan_end_confidential (ctx);
+              assuan_begin_confidential (parm->ctx);
+              err = assuan_send_data (parm->ctx, pin, strlen (pin));
+              assuan_end_confidential (parm->ctx);
               xfree (pin);
               goto leave;
             }
@@ -1333,14 +1341,18 @@ do_getpin (ctrl_t ctrl, struct entry_parm_s *parm)
   int saveflag = assuan_get_flag (entry_ctx, ASSUAN_CONFIDENTIAL);
   gnupg_fd_t sock_watched = ctrl->thread_startup.fd;
   npth_t thread;
+  struct inq_cb_parm_s inq_cb_parm;
 
   rc = watch_sock_start (&sock_watched, &thread);
   if (rc)
     return rc;
 
+  inq_cb_parm.ctx = entry_ctx;
+  inq_cb_parm.flags = parm->constraints_flags;
+
   assuan_begin_confidential (entry_ctx);
   rc = assuan_transact (entry_ctx, "GETPIN", getpin_cb, parm,
-                        inq_cb, entry_ctx,
+                        inq_cb, &inq_cb_parm,
                         pinentry_status_cb, &parm->status);
   assuan_set_flag (entry_ctx, ASSUAN_CONFIDENTIAL, saveflag);
   /* Most pinentries out in the wild return the old Assuan error code
@@ -1493,6 +1505,7 @@ agent_askpin (ctrl_t ctrl,
       parm.size = pininfo->max_length;
       *pininfo->pin = 0; /* Reset the PIN. */
       parm.buffer = (unsigned char*)pininfo->pin;
+      parm.constraints_flags = pininfo->constraints_flags;
 
       if (errtext)
         {
diff --git a/agent/command.c b/agent/command.c
index 8ce7a15d3..dd1a2f122 100644
--- a/agent/command.c
+++ b/agent/command.c
@@ -1871,6 +1871,8 @@ cmd_get_passphrase (assuan_context_t ctx, char *line)
       pi->max_tries = 3;
       pi->with_qualitybar = opt_qualbar;
       pi->with_repeat = opt_repeat;
+      pi->constraints_flags = (CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NOT_EMPTY
+                               | CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NEW_SYMKEY);
       pi2->max_length = MAX_PASSPHRASE_LEN + 1;
       pi2->max_tries = 3;
       pi2->check_cb = reenter_passphrase_cmp_cb;
@@ -1891,7 +1893,9 @@ cmd_get_passphrase (assuan_context_t ctx, char *line)
           xfree (entry_errtext);
           entry_errtext = NULL;
           /* We don't allow an empty passpharse in this mode.  */
-          if (check_passphrase_constraints (ctrl, pi->pin, 1, &entry_errtext))
+          if (check_passphrase_constraints (ctrl, pi->pin,
+                                            pi->constraints_flags,
+                                            &entry_errtext))
             {
               pi->failed_tries = 0;
               pi2->failed_tries = 0;
@@ -1952,7 +1956,10 @@ cmd_get_passphrase (assuan_context_t ctx, char *line)
           int i;
 
           if (opt_check
-	      && check_passphrase_constraints (ctrl, response,0,&entry_errtext))
+	      && check_passphrase_constraints
+              (ctrl, response,
+               (opt_newsymkey? CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NEW_SYMKEY:0),
+               &entry_errtext))
             {
               goto next_try;
             }
diff --git a/agent/genkey.c b/agent/genkey.c
index c7cfc6910..3ed63f663 100644
--- a/agent/genkey.c
+++ b/agent/genkey.c
@@ -89,9 +89,11 @@ nonalpha_count (const char *s)
 
 
 /* Check PW against a list of pattern.  Return 0 if PW does not match
-   these pattern.  */
+   these pattern.  If CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NEW_SYMKEY is set in flags and
+   --check-sym-passphrase-pattern has been configured, use the pattern
+   file from that option.  */
 static int
-check_passphrase_pattern (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw)
+do_check_passphrase_pattern (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw, unsigned int flags)
 {
   gpg_error_t err = 0;
   const char *pgmname = gnupg_module_name (GNUPG_MODULE_NAME_CHECK_PATTERN);
@@ -99,9 +101,17 @@ check_passphrase_pattern (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw)
   const char *argv[10];
   pid_t pid;
   int result, i;
+  const char *pattern;
 
   (void)ctrl;
 
+  pattern = opt.check_passphrase_pattern;
+  if ((flags & CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NEW_SYMKEY)
+      && opt.check_sym_passphrase_pattern)
+    pattern = opt.check_sym_passphrase_pattern;
+  if (!pattern)
+    return 1; /* Oops - Assume password should not be used  */
+
   infp = gnupg_tmpfile ();
   if (!infp)
     {
@@ -124,7 +134,7 @@ check_passphrase_pattern (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw)
   i = 0;
   argv[i++] = "--null";
   argv[i++] = "--",
-  argv[i++] = opt.check_passphrase_pattern,
+  argv[i++] = pattern,
   argv[i] = NULL;
   log_assert (i < sizeof argv);
 
@@ -156,12 +166,17 @@ take_this_one_anyway (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *desc, const char *anyway_btn)
 
 
 /* Check whether the passphrase PW is suitable. Returns 0 if the
-   passphrase is suitable and true if it is not and the user should be
-   asked to provide a different one.  If FAILED_CONSTRAINT is set, a
-   message describing the problem is returned in
-   *FAILED_CONSTRAINT.  */
+ * passphrase is suitable and true if it is not and the user should be
+ * asked to provide a different one.  If FAILED_CONSTRAINT is set, a
+ * message describing the problem is returned at FAILED_CONSTRAINT.
+ * The FLAGS are:
+ *   CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NOT_EMPTY
+ *       Do not allow an empty passphrase
+ *   CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NEW_SYMKEY
+ *       Hint that the passphrase is used for a new symmetric key.
+ */
 int
-check_passphrase_constraints (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw, int no_empty,
+check_passphrase_constraints (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw, unsigned int flags,
 			      char **failed_constraint)
 {
   gpg_error_t err = 0;
@@ -170,6 +185,7 @@ check_passphrase_constraints (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw, int no_empty,
   char *msg1 = NULL;
   char *msg2 = NULL;
   char *msg3 = NULL;
+  int no_empty = !!(flags & CHECK_CONSTRAINTS_NOT_EMPTY);
 
   if (ctrl && ctrl->pinentry_mode == PINENTRY_MODE_LOOPBACK)
     return 0;
@@ -247,8 +263,9 @@ check_passphrase_constraints (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *pw, int no_empty,
      and pattern.  The actual test is done by an external program.
      The warning message is generic to give the user no hint on how to
      circumvent this list.  */
-  if (*pw && opt.check_passphrase_pattern &&
-      check_passphrase_pattern (ctrl, pw))
+  if (*pw
+      && (opt.check_passphrase_pattern || opt.check_sym_passphrase_pattern)
+      && do_check_passphrase_pattern (ctrl, pw, flags))
     {
       if (!failed_constraint)
         {
diff --git a/agent/gpg-agent.c b/agent/gpg-agent.c
index 30d7cebaa..dd60847e6 100644
--- a/agent/gpg-agent.c
+++ b/agent/gpg-agent.c
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ enum cmd_and_opt_values
   oMinPassphraseLen,
   oMinPassphraseNonalpha,
   oCheckPassphrasePattern,
+  oCheckSymPassphrasePattern,
   oMaxPassphraseDays,
   oEnablePassphraseHistory,
   oDisableExtendedKeyFormat,
@@ -265,6 +266,8 @@ static gpgrt_opt_t opts[] = {
                    " characters for a new passphrase")),
   ARGPARSE_s_s (oCheckPassphrasePattern,  "check-passphrase-pattern",
                 N_("|FILE|check new passphrases against pattern in FILE")),
+  ARGPARSE_s_s (oCheckSymPassphrasePattern,  "check-sym-passphrase-pattern",
+                "@"),
   ARGPARSE_s_u (oMaxPassphraseDays,       "max-passphrase-days",
                 N_("|N|expire the passphrase after N days")),
   ARGPARSE_s_n (oEnablePassphraseHistory, "enable-passphrase-history",
@@ -862,6 +865,7 @@ parse_rereadable_options (gpgrt_argparse_t *pargs, int reread)
       opt.min_passphrase_len = MIN_PASSPHRASE_LEN;
       opt.min_passphrase_nonalpha = MIN_PASSPHRASE_NONALPHA;
       opt.check_passphrase_pattern = NULL;
+      opt.check_sym_passphrase_pattern = NULL;
       opt.max_passphrase_days = MAX_PASSPHRASE_DAYS;
       opt.enable_passphrase_history = 0;
       opt.enable_extended_key_format = 1;
@@ -942,6 +946,9 @@ parse_rereadable_options (gpgrt_argparse_t *pargs, int reread)
     case oCheckPassphrasePattern:
       opt.check_passphrase_pattern = pargs->r.ret_str;
       break;
+    case oCheckSymPassphrasePattern:
+      opt.check_sym_passphrase_pattern = pargs->r.ret_str;
+      break;
     case oMaxPassphraseDays:
       opt.max_passphrase_days = pargs->r.ret_ulong;
       break;
@@ -1440,6 +1447,8 @@ main (int argc, char **argv)
                  GC_OPT_FLAG_DEFAULT, MIN_PASSPHRASE_NONALPHA);
       es_printf ("check-passphrase-pattern:%lu:\n",
                  GC_OPT_FLAG_DEFAULT);
+      es_printf ("check-sym-passphrase-pattern:%lu:\n",
+                 GC_OPT_FLAG_DEFAULT);
       es_printf ("max-passphrase-days:%lu:%d:\n",
                  GC_OPT_FLAG_DEFAULT, MAX_PASSPHRASE_DAYS);
       es_printf ("ssh-fingerprint-digest:%lu:\"%s:\n",
diff --git a/doc/gpg-agent.texi b/doc/gpg-agent.texi
index a061283d6..5413a88ac 100644
--- a/doc/gpg-agent.texi
+++ b/doc/gpg-agent.texi
@@ -205,14 +205,14 @@ if used in an options file.
 
 
 @item -v
-@item --verbose
+@itemx --verbose
 @opindex verbose
 Outputs additional information while running.
 You can increase the verbosity by giving several
 verbose commands to @command{gpg-agent}, such as @samp{-vv}.
 
 @item -q
-@item --quiet
+@itemx --quiet
 @opindex quiet
 Try to be as quiet as possible.
 
@@ -429,11 +429,15 @@ of digits or special characters a warning will be displayed.  Defaults
 to 1.
 
 @item --check-passphrase-pattern @var{file}
+@itemx --check-sym-passphrase-pattern @var{file}
 @opindex check-passphrase-pattern
+@opindex check-sym-passphrase-pattern
 Check the passphrase against the pattern given in @var{file}.  When
 entering a new passphrase matching one of these pattern a warning will
-be displayed. @var{file} should be an absolute filename.  The default is
-not to use any pattern file.
+be displayed. @var{file} should be an absolute filename.  The default
+is not to use any pattern file.  The second version of this option is
+only used when creating a new symmetric key to allow the use of
+different patterns for such passphrases.
 
 Security note: It is known that checking a passphrase against a list of
 pattern or even against a complete dictionary is not very effective to
diff --git a/tools/gpgconf-comp.c b/tools/gpgconf-comp.c
index 20ec00a11..d8e75739f 100644
--- a/tools/gpgconf-comp.c
+++ b/tools/gpgconf-comp.c
@@ -351,6 +351,8 @@ static known_option_t known_options_gpg_agent[] =
    { "min-passphrase-nonalpha", GC_OPT_FLAG_RUNTIME, GC_LEVEL_EXPERT },
    { "check-passphrase-pattern", GC_OPT_FLAG_RUNTIME, GC_LEVEL_EXPERT,
      /**/                        GC_ARG_TYPE_FILENAME },
+   { "check-sym-passphrase-pattern", GC_OPT_FLAG_RUNTIME, GC_LEVEL_EXPERT,
+     /**/                        GC_ARG_TYPE_FILENAME },
    { "max-passphrase-days", GC_OPT_FLAG_RUNTIME, GC_LEVEL_EXPERT },
    { "enable-passphrase-history", GC_OPT_FLAG_RUNTIME, GC_LEVEL_EXPERT },
    { "pinentry-timeout", GC_OPT_FLAG_RUNTIME, GC_LEVEL_ADVANCED },