diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ac415e5..f47c24a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ services:
          #  - POSTGRES_PASSWORD_FILE=/run/secrets/db_password <-- alternative for POSTGRES_PASSWORD (to use with docker secrets)
             - POSTGRES_EXTRA_OPTS=-Z1 --schema=public --blobs
             - SCHEDULE=@daily
+            - BACKUP_ON_START=TRUE
             - BACKUP_KEEP_DAYS=7
             - BACKUP_KEEP_WEEKS=4
             - BACKUP_KEEP_MONTHS=6
@@ -75,6 +76,7 @@ Most variables are the same as in the [official postgres image](https://hub.dock
 |--|--|
 | BACKUP_DIR | Directory to save the backup at. Defaults to `/backups`. |
 | BACKUP_SUFFIX | Filename suffix to save the backup. Defaults to `.sql.gz`. |
+| BACKUP_ON_START | If set to `TRUE` performs an backup on each container start or restart. Defaults to `FALSE`. |
 | BACKUP_KEEP_DAYS | Number of daily backups to keep before removal. Defaults to `7`. |
 | BACKUP_KEEP_WEEKS | Number of weekly backups to keep before removal. Defaults to `4`. |
 | BACKUP_KEEP_MONTHS | Number of monthly backups to keep before removal. Defaults to `6`. |
diff --git a/alpine.Dockerfile b/alpine.Dockerfile
index 9ca0d1b..e345ec4 100644
--- a/alpine.Dockerfile
+++ b/alpine.Dockerfile
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ ENV POSTGRES_DB="**None**" \
     POSTGRES_EXTRA_OPTS="-Z1" \
     POSTGRES_CLUSTER="FALSE" \
     SCHEDULE="@daily" \
+    BACKUP_ON_START="FALSE" \
     BACKUP_DIR="/backups" \
     BACKUP_SUFFIX=".sql.gz" \
     BACKUP_LATEST_TYPE="symlink" \
diff --git a/debian.Dockerfile b/debian.Dockerfile
index 40f19bf..0019334 100644
--- a/debian.Dockerfile
+++ b/debian.Dockerfile
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ ENV POSTGRES_DB="**None**" \
     POSTGRES_EXTRA_OPTS="-Z1" \
     POSTGRES_CLUSTER="FALSE" \
     SCHEDULE="@daily" \
+    BACKUP_ON_START="FALSE" \
     BACKUP_DIR="/backups" \
     BACKUP_SUFFIX=".sql.gz" \
     BACKUP_LATEST_TYPE="symlink" \
diff --git a/init.sh b/init.sh
index 8674bff..055973f 100755
--- a/init.sh
+++ b/init.sh
@@ -4,4 +4,11 @@ set -Eeo pipefail
 # Prevalidate configuration (don't source)
 /env.sh
 
+# Initial background backup
+if [ "${BACKUP_ON_START}" = "TRUE" ]; then
+  echo "Launching an startup backup as a background job..."
+  /backup.sh &
+fi
+
+echo "Starting go-cron ($SCHEDULE)..."
 exec /usr/local/bin/go-cron -s "$SCHEDULE" -p "$HEALTHCHECK_PORT" -- /backup.sh