diff --git a/docs/CHANGES.txt b/docs/CHANGES.txt
index 08b0db22b..6e9f3de66 100644
--- a/docs/CHANGES.txt
+++ b/docs/CHANGES.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/
 $Id$
 
 
-2006.September.6 (0.9.16)
+2006.September.9 (0.9.16)
 
   * Interface improvements:
     -----------------------
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ $Id$
       Discovered (or assumed) window size and directory settings are shown
       when tuxpaint-import is first run (even with no arguments).
 
+    * "startblank" option added, to cause Tux Paint to always start with
+      a blank canvas (rather than loading the most-recently-edited image).
+
     * In windowed mode, Tux Paint tries to open its window in the center
       of the screen (if supported by the OS or window manager).
 
diff --git a/docs/OPTIONS.txt b/docs/OPTIONS.txt
index b6aa42970..404722071 100644
--- a/docs/OPTIONS.txt
+++ b/docs/OPTIONS.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
                            bill@newbreedsoftware.com
                    http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/
 
-                                 April 29, 2006
+                               September 9, 2006
 
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -310,6 +310,11 @@ Windows Users
              situations where the program is only being used for fun, or in a
              test environment.
 
+     startblank=yes
+             This causes Tux Paint to display a blank canvas when it first
+             starts up, rather than loading the last image that was being
+             edited.
+
      lang=LANGUAGE
 
              Run Tux Paint in one of the supported languages. Possible choice
@@ -474,6 +479,7 @@ Windows Users
        --1280x1204
        --1400x1050
        --1600x1200
+       --startblank
        --nosound
        --noquit
        --noprint
@@ -504,6 +510,7 @@ Windows Users
 
        --windowed
        --640x480
+       --startlast
        --sound
        --quit
        --print
diff --git a/docs/html/OPTIONS.html b/docs/html/OPTIONS.html
index 494bb8da8..6a5e9c608 100644
--- a/docs/html/OPTIONS.html
+++ b/docs/html/OPTIONS.html
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ New Breed Software</p>
 <p><a href="mailto:bill@newbreedsoftware.com">bill@newbreedsoftware.com</a><br>
 <a href="http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/">http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/</a></p>
 
-<p>April 29, 2006</p>
+<p>September 9, 2006</p>
 </center>
 
 <hr size=2 noshade>
@@ -383,6 +383,12 @@ New Breed Software</p>
     It can be used in situations where the program is only being used for
     fun, or in a test environment.
   </dd>
+
+  <dt><code><b>startblank=yes</b></code</dt>
+  <dd>
+    This causes Tux&nbsp;Paint to display a blank canvas when it first
+    starts up, rather than loading the last image that was being edited.
+  </dd>
   
   <dt><code><b>lang=<i>LANGUAGE</i></b></code></dt>
   <dd>
@@ -752,6 +758,7 @@ New Breed Software</p>
     --1280x1204<br>
     --1400x1050<br>
     --1600x1200<br>
+    --startblank<br>
     --nosound<br>
     --noquit<br>
     --noprint<br>
@@ -785,6 +792,7 @@ New Breed Software</p>
     <dt><code><b>
     --windowed<br>
     --640x480<br>
+    --startlast<br>
     --sound<br>
     --quit<br>
     --print<br>
diff --git a/src/manpage/tuxpaint.1 b/src/manpage/tuxpaint.1
index bf48aa528..a49be0716 100644
--- a/src/manpage/tuxpaint.1
+++ b/src/manpage/tuxpaint.1
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-.\" tuxpaint.1 - 2006.09.08
-.TH TUXPAINT 1 "8 Sept 2006" "0.9.16" "Tux Paint"
+.\" tuxpaint.1 - 2006.09.09
+.TH TUXPAINT 1 "9 Sept 2006" "0.9.16" "Tux Paint"
 .SH NAME
 tuxpaint -- A drawing program for young children.
 
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ tuxpaint -- A drawing program for young children.
 .B tuxpaint
 [\-\-fullscreen]
 [\-\-800x600 | \-\-1024x768 | \-\-1280x1024 | \-\-1400x1050 | \-\-1600x1200 | \-\-WxH ]
+[\-\-startblank]
 [\-\-nosound]
 [\-\-noquit]
 [\-\-noprint]
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ tuxpaint -- A drawing program for young children.
 .B tuxpaint
 [\-\-windowed]
 [\-\-640x480]
+[\-\-startlast]
 [\-\-sound]
 [\-\-quit]
 [\-\-print]
@@ -244,6 +246,12 @@ The \fInosave\fP option disables \fITux Paint's\fP ability to save files.
 This can be used in situations where the program is only being used for
 fun, or in a test environment.
 
+.TP 8
+.B \-\-startblank \-\-startlast
+When you start \fITux Paint\fP, it loads the last image that was being worked
+on.  The \fI\-\-startblank\fP option disables this, so it always starts with
+a blank canvas.  The default behavior is \fI\-\-startlast\fP.
+
 .SH OPTIONS - LANGUAGE
 .l
 Various parts of \fITux Paint\fP have been translated into numerous languages.
diff --git a/src/tuxpaint.c b/src/tuxpaint.c
index 10b481a93..11d14f8a0 100644
--- a/src/tuxpaint.c
+++ b/src/tuxpaint.c
@@ -776,7 +776,8 @@ static int fullscreen, disable_quit, simple_shapes,
   dont_do_xor, use_print_config, dont_load_stamps, noshortcuts,
   no_button_distinction,
   mirrorstamps, disable_stamp_controls, disable_save, ok_to_use_lockfile,
-  alt_print_command_default, scrolling = 0;
+  alt_print_command_default, scrolling = 0,
+  start_blank;
 static int want_alt_printcommand;
 static int starter_mirrored, starter_flipped, starter_personal;
 static int recording, playing;
@@ -1427,7 +1428,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
   /* Load current image (if any): */
 
-  load_current();
+  if (start_blank == 0)
+    load_current();
+
   been_saved = 1;
   tool_avail[TOOL_SAVE] = 0;
 
@@ -5164,6 +5167,7 @@ static void show_usage(FILE * f, char *prg)
 	  "  %s [--windowed | --fullscreen]\n"
 	  "  %s [--640x480   | --800x600   | --1024x768 |\n"
 	  "  %s  --1280x1024 | --1400x1050 | --1600x1200]\n"
+	  "  %s [--startblank | --startlast ]\n"
 	  "  %s [--sound | --nosound]         [--quit | --noquit]\n"
 	  "  %s [--print | --noprint]         [--complexshapes | --simpleshapes]\n"
 	  "  %s [--mixedcase | --uppercase]   [--fancycursors | --nofancycursors]\n"
@@ -5188,7 +5192,7 @@ static void show_usage(FILE * f, char *prg)
 	  prg, prg,
 	  blank, blank, blank,
 	  blank, blank, blank,
-	  blank, blank, blank, blank, blank, blank, blank, blank,
+	  blank, blank, blank, blank, blank, blank, blank, blank, blank,
 #ifdef WIN32
 	  blank,
 #endif
@@ -5807,6 +5811,7 @@ static void setup(int argc, char *argv[])
   recording = 0;
   playing = 0;
   ok_to_use_lockfile = 1;
+  start_blank = 0;
 
 
 #ifdef __BEOS__
@@ -5920,6 +5925,14 @@ static void setup(int argc, char *argv[])
     {
       fullscreen = 0;
     }
+    else if (strcmp(argv[i], "--startblank") == 0 || strcmp(argv[i], "-b") == 0)
+    {
+      start_blank = 1;
+    }
+    else if (strcmp(argv[i], "--startlast") == 0)
+    {
+      start_blank = 0;
+    }
     else if (strcmp(argv[i], "--mirrorstamps") == 0)
     {
       mirrorstamps = 1;
@@ -14529,6 +14542,15 @@ static void parse_options(FILE * fi)
       {
 	fullscreen = 0;
       }
+      else if (strcmp(str, "startblank=yes") == 0)
+      {
+	start_blank = 1;
+      }
+      else if (strcmp(str, "startblank=no") == 0 ||
+	       strcmp(str, "startlast=yes") == 0)
+      {
+	start_blank = 0;
+      }
       else if (strcmp(str, "nostampcontrols=yes") == 0)
       {
 	disable_stamp_controls = 1;