diff --git a/src/break_out/controller/Controller.java b/src/break_out/controller/Controller.java
index dcbea7b..7f55d69 100644
--- a/src/break_out/controller/Controller.java
+++ b/src/break_out/controller/Controller.java
@@ -132,6 +132,12 @@ public class Controller implements ActionListener, KeyListener {
 				game.getLevel().getPaddleBottom().setDirection(+1);
 				game.getLevel().getPaddleTop().setDirection(+1);
 				break;
+			// escape was pressed
+			case KeyEvent.VK_ESCAPE:
+				// exit current level
+				game.getLevel().setFinished(true);
+				toStartScreen();
+				break;
 		}
 
 	}
diff --git a/src/break_out/model/Level.java b/src/break_out/model/Level.java
index 9dce4ba..be436e3 100644
--- a/src/break_out/model/Level.java
+++ b/src/break_out/model/Level.java
@@ -36,6 +36,11 @@ public class Level extends Thread implements ILevel {
 	 */
 	private boolean ballWasStarted = false;
 
+	/**
+	 * Flag that shows if the level was finished
+	 */
+	private boolean levelFinished = false;
+
 	/**
 	 * The paddles of the level
 	 */
@@ -109,7 +114,7 @@ public class Level extends Thread implements ILevel {
 		game.notifyObservers();
 
 		// endless loop
-		while (true) {
+		while (!levelFinished) {
 			// if ballWasStarted is true, the ball is moving
 			if (ballWasStarted()) {
 
@@ -184,7 +189,7 @@ public class Level extends Thread implements ILevel {
 	 * @param finished game state
 	 */
 	public void setFinished(boolean finished) {
-
+		this.levelFinished = finished;
 	}
 
 }