diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index ed5588faf1..88915ec42d 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -9,4 +9,6 @@ out
 .idea
 .*.swp
 *.class
-/bin
\ No newline at end of file
+/bin
+user.gradle
+
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index be4d57af12..9bb6728cf7 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -454,3 +454,8 @@ classes {
         logger.lifecycle "InvokeDynamic support ${useIndy()?'on':'off'}"
     }
 }
+
+// If a local configuration file for tweaking the build is present, apply it
+if (file('user.gradle').exists()) {
+    apply from: 'user.gradle'
+}
\ No newline at end of file