diff --git a/cfg-mplayer.h b/cfg-mplayer.h
index d5d711f6bb..4fc7b4ddd7 100644
--- a/cfg-mplayer.h
+++ b/cfg-mplayer.h
@@ -485,6 +485,9 @@ const m_option_t common_opts[] = {
     {"sb", &seek_to_byte, CONF_TYPE_POSITION, CONF_MIN, 0, 0, NULL},
     OPT_TIME("ss", seek_to_sec, 0),
 
+    // start paused
+    OPT_FLAG_ON("paused", start_paused, 0),
+
     // stop at given position
     {"endpos", &end_at, CONF_TYPE_TIME_SIZE, 0, 0, 0, NULL},
 
diff --git a/mplayer.c b/mplayer.c
index e74f53d65d..1c2bc7efa3 100644
--- a/mplayer.c
+++ b/mplayer.c
@@ -5002,6 +5002,9 @@ goto_enable_cache:
         vo_control(mpctx->video_out,
                    mpctx->paused ? VOCTRL_PAUSE : VOCTRL_RESUME, NULL);
 
+    if (mpctx->opts.start_paused)
+        add_step_frame(mpctx);
+
     while (!mpctx->stop_play)
         run_playloop(mpctx);
 
diff --git a/options.h b/options.h
index 5d44ce5084..670c3ac6e5 100644
--- a/options.h
+++ b/options.h
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ typedef struct MPOpts {
     int doubleclick_time;
     int list_properties;
     double seek_to_sec;
+    int start_paused;
     int audio_id;
     int video_id;
     int sub_id;