diff --git a/cmd/backup/config.go b/cmd/backup/config.go
index 08232a8..dae3289 100644
--- a/cmd/backup/config.go
+++ b/cmd/backup/config.go
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ type Config struct {
 	BackupLatestSymlink           string          `split_words:"true"`
 	BackupArchive                 string          `split_words:"true" default:"/archive"`
 	BackupCronExpression          string          `split_words:"true" default:"@daily"`
+	BackupJitter                  time.Duration   `split_words:"true" default:"0s"`
 	BackupRetentionDays           int32           `split_words:"true" default:"-1"`
 	BackupPruningLeeway           time.Duration   `split_words:"true" default:"1m"`
 	BackupPruningPrefix           string          `split_words:"true"`
diff --git a/cmd/backup/run_script.go b/cmd/backup/run_script.go
index 020cb2f..a99e79d 100644
--- a/cmd/backup/run_script.go
+++ b/cmd/backup/run_script.go
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ package main
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"math/rand"
 	"runtime/debug"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/offen/docker-volume-backup/internal/errwrap"
 )
@@ -51,6 +53,15 @@ func runScript(c *Config) (err error) {
 		}
 	}()
 
+	if s.c != nil && s.c.BackupJitter > 0 {
+		max := s.c.BackupJitter
+		delay := time.Duration(rand.Int63n(int64(max) + 1))
+		if delay > 0 {
+			s.logger.Info(fmt.Sprintf("Applying startup jitter of %v", delay))
+			time.Sleep(delay)
+		}
+	}
+
 	if initErr := s.init(); initErr != nil {
 		err = errwrap.Wrap(initErr, "error instantiating script")
 		return
diff --git a/docs/reference/index.md b/docs/reference/index.md
index 8a423c7..f3290a5 100644
--- a/docs/reference/index.md
+++ b/docs/reference/index.md
@@ -47,6 +47,17 @@ The values for each key currently match its default.
 
 # ---
 
+# Optional startup delay ("jitter") applied before each backup run.
+# The jitter introduces a random delay between 0 and the given duration,
+#
+# Set to "0s" or omit the variable to disable jitter completely.
+# Default = "0s". In case you need to adjust this value, supply a duration
+# value as per https://pkg.go.dev/time#ParseDuration to `BACKUP_JITTER`.
+#
+# BACKUP_JITTER="0s"
+
+# ---
+
 # The compression algorithm used in conjunction with tar.
 # Valid options are: "gz" (Gzip), "zst" (Zstd) or "none" (tar only).
 # Default is "gz". Note that the selection affects the file extension.