diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index db1591d7..7f5caade 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ instances:
     instance: rds-mysql57
     aws_access_key: AKIAIOSFODNN7EXAMPLE
     aws_secret_key: wJalrXUtnFEMI/K7MDENG/bPxRfiCYEXAMPLEKEY
+    aws_role_arn: arn:aws:iam::76784568345:role/my-role
     disable_basic_metrics: true
     disable_enhanced_metrics: false
     labels:
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ instances:
       baz: qux
 ```
 
-If `aws_access_key` and `aws_secret_key` are present, they are used for that instance.
+If `aws_role_arn` is present it will assume role otherwise if `aws_access_key` and `aws_secret_key` are present, they are used for that instance.
 Otherwise, [default credential provider chain](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-go/v1/developer-guide/configuring-sdk.html#specifying-credentials)
 is used, which includes `AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID`/`AWS_ACCESS_KEY` and `AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY`/`AWS_SECRET_KEY` environment variables, `~/.aws/credentials` file,
 and IAM role for EC2.
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 2948ca31..538732a7 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ type Instance struct {
 	Instance               string            `yaml:"instance"`
 	AWSAccessKey           string            `yaml:"aws_access_key"` // may be empty
 	AWSSecretKey           string            `yaml:"aws_secret_key"` // may be empty
+	AWSRoleArn             string            `yaml:"aws_role_arn"`   // may be empty
 	DisableBasicMetrics    bool              `yaml:"disable_basic_metrics"`
 	DisableEnhancedMetrics bool              `yaml:"disable_enhanced_metrics"`
 	Labels                 map[string]string `yaml:"labels"` // may be empty
diff --git a/sessions/sessions.go b/sessions/sessions.go
index cf49e8c0..8c321b85 100644
--- a/sessions/sessions.go
+++ b/sessions/sessions.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go/aws"
 	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go/aws/credentials"
+	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go/aws/credentials/stscreds"
 	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go/aws/session"
 	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go/service/rds"
 	"github.com/prometheus/common/log"
@@ -65,13 +66,11 @@ func New(instances []config.Instance, client *http.Client, trace bool) (*Session
 
 		// use given credentials, or default credential chain
 		var creds *credentials.Credentials
-		if instance.AWSAccessKey != "" || instance.AWSSecretKey != "" {
-			creds = credentials.NewCredentials(&credentials.StaticProvider{
-				Value: credentials.Value{
-					AccessKeyID:     instance.AWSAccessKey,
-					SecretAccessKey: instance.AWSSecretKey,
-				},
-			})
+
+		creds, err := buildCredentials(instance)
+
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
 		}
 
 		// make config with careful logging
@@ -180,6 +179,29 @@ func (s *Sessions) GetSession(region, instance string) (*session.Session, *Insta
 	return nil, nil
 }
 
+func buildCredentials(instance config.Instance) (*credentials.Credentials, error) {
+	if instance.AWSRoleArn != "" {
+		stsSession, err := session.NewSession(&aws.Config{
+			Region:      aws.String(instance.Region),
+			Credentials: credentials.NewStaticCredentials(instance.AWSAccessKey, instance.AWSSecretKey, ""),
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		return stscreds.NewCredentials(stsSession, instance.AWSRoleArn), nil
+	}
+	if instance.AWSAccessKey != "" || instance.AWSSecretKey != "" {
+		return credentials.NewCredentials(&credentials.StaticProvider{
+			Value: credentials.Value{
+				AccessKeyID:     instance.AWSAccessKey,
+				SecretAccessKey: instance.AWSSecretKey,
+			},
+		}), nil
+	}
+	return nil, nil
+}
+
 // AllSessions returns all sessions and instances.
 func (s *Sessions) AllSessions() map[*session.Session][]Instance {
 	return s.sessions