diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 392a405..b166b48 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -44,6 +44,14 @@ Or
 
     let g:gitsessions_dir = '/absolute/path/'
 
+
+If you don't want the session to be loaded automatically when launching vim,
+you can disable this behavior:
+
+    let g:gitsessions_disable_auto_load = 1
+
+You need to set this variable _before_ loading the plugin.
+
 ### Misc
 
 *plugin updates*
diff --git a/plugin/gitsessions.vim b/plugin/gitsessions.vim
index c45fdaf..fec4567 100644
--- a/plugin/gitsessions.vim
+++ b/plugin/gitsessions.vim
@@ -177,7 +177,9 @@ endfunction
 
 augroup gitsessions
     autocmd!
-    autocmd VimEnter * :call g:GitSessionLoad()
+    if ! exists("g:gitsessions_disable_auto_load")
+        autocmd VimEnter * :call g:GitSessionLoad()
+    endif
     autocmd BufEnter * :call g:GitSessionUpdate(0)
     autocmd VimLeave * :call g:GitSessionUpdate()
 augroup END