diff --git a/pocketbot.go b/pocketbot.go
index ecb33c1..2ff2df9 100644
--- a/pocketbot.go
+++ b/pocketbot.go
@@ -81,5 +81,7 @@ func main() {
 
 func ready(s *discordgo.Session, event *discordgo.Ready) {
 	s.UpdateStatus(0, "with droids!")
-	s.ChannelMessageSend(bot_channel, "This isn't Tatooine...")
+	if os.Getenv("POCKETBOT_STARTUP_MESSAGE") == "TRUE" {
+		s.ChannelMessageSend(bot_channel, "This isn't Tatooine...")
+	}
 }