diff --git a/compton.1 b/compton.1
index 9f2636de..abdfbbd1 100644
--- a/compton.1
+++ b/compton.1
@@ -56,6 +56,13 @@ drag-and-drop windows.
 When \-f is specified, also enables the fade effect when windows change their
 opacity, as with transset(1).
 .TP
+.BI \-b
+Attempts to fork to background after registered composition
+manager.  Still sits in foreground if fork failed.  Maybe useful
+if you computer is too fast, in which case some programs
+requiring a composite manager may have started before composite
+manager is ready.
+.TP
 .BI \-i\ opacity
 Specifies inactive window transparency. (0.1 - 1.0)
 .TP
diff --git a/compton.c b/compton.c
index 2d40ab8d..64ef3c9a 100644
--- a/compton.c
+++ b/compton.c
@@ -2423,6 +2423,7 @@ main(int argc, char **argv) {
   int o;
   Bool no_dock_shadow = False;
   Bool no_dnd_shadow  = False;
+  Bool fork_after_register = False;
 
   for (i = 0; i < NUM_WINTYPES; ++i) {
     win_type_fade[i] = False;
@@ -2430,7 +2431,7 @@ main(int argc, char **argv) {
     win_type_opacity[i] = 1.0;
   }
 
-  while ((o = getopt(argc, argv, "D:I:O:d:r:o:m:l:t:i:e:scnfFCaSzG")) != -1) {
+  while ((o = getopt(argc, argv, "D:I:O:d:r:o:m:l:t:i:e:scnfFCaSzGb")) != -1) {
     switch (o) {
       case 'd':
         display = optarg;
@@ -2507,6 +2508,9 @@ main(int argc, char **argv) {
       case 'G':
         no_dnd_shadow = True;
         break;
+      case 'b':
+        fork_after_register = True;
+        break;
       default:
         usage(argv[0]);
         break;
@@ -2564,6 +2568,13 @@ main(int argc, char **argv) {
   }
 
   register_cm(scr);
+  if (fork_after_register) {
+    int pid = fork();
+    if (pid < 0)
+      fprintf(stderr, "Fork failed\n");
+    else if (pid > 0)
+      exit(0);
+  }
   get_atoms();
 
   pa.subwindow_mode = IncludeInferiors;