diff --git a/lib/delayed/command.rb b/lib/delayed/command.rb
index b844ba7f9..5caa96385 100644
--- a/lib/delayed/command.rb
+++ b/lib/delayed/command.rb
@@ -44,8 +44,9 @@ def initialize(args)
         opts.on('-m', '--monitor', 'Start monitor process.') do
           @monitor = true
         end
-        
-
+        opts.on('--sleep-delay N', "Amount of time to sleep when no jobs are found") do |n|
+          @options[:sleep_delay] = n
+        end
       end
       @args = opts.parse!(args)
     end
diff --git a/lib/delayed/worker.rb b/lib/delayed/worker.rb
index 67cb71563..a6960ce85 100644
--- a/lib/delayed/worker.rb
+++ b/lib/delayed/worker.rb
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ def initialize(options={})
       @quiet = options.has_key?(:quiet) ? options[:quiet] : true
       self.class.min_priority = options[:min_priority] if options.has_key?(:min_priority)
       self.class.max_priority = options[:max_priority] if options.has_key?(:max_priority)
+      self.class.sleep_delay = options[:sleep_delay] if options.has_key?(:sleep_delay)
     end
 
     # Every worker has a unique name which by default is the pid of the process. There are some