diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b3e62f2..5f515ec 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -125,6 +125,7 @@ Emits `message` when a message arrives.
 | [options.polling] | <code>Boolean</code> &#124; <code>Object</code> | <code>false</code> | Set true to enable polling or set options |
 | [options.polling.timeout] | <code>String</code> &#124; <code>Number</code> | <code>10</code> | Timeout in seconds for long polling |
 | [options.polling.interval] | <code>String</code> &#124; <code>Number</code> | <code>300</code> | Interval between requests in miliseconds |
+| [options.polling.autoStart] | <code>Boolean</code> | <code>true</code> | Start polling immediately |
 | [options.webHook] | <code>Boolean</code> &#124; <code>Object</code> | <code>false</code> | Set true to enable WebHook or set options |
 | [options.webHook.port] | <code>Number</code> | <code>8443</code> | Port to bind to |
 | [options.webHook.key] | <code>String</code> |  | Path to file with PEM private key for webHook server. (Read synchronously!) |
diff --git a/src/telegram.js b/src/telegram.js
index 419b3d1..760ff21 100644
--- a/src/telegram.js
+++ b/src/telegram.js
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ class TelegramBot extends EventEmitter {
    * @param {Boolean|Object} [options.polling=false] Set true to enable polling or set options
    * @param {String|Number} [options.polling.timeout=10] Timeout in seconds for long polling
    * @param {String|Number} [options.polling.interval=300] Interval between requests in miliseconds
+   * @param {Boolean} [options.polling.autoStart=true] Start polling immediately
    * @param {Boolean|Object} [options.webHook=false] Set true to enable WebHook or set options
    * @param {Number} [options.webHook.port=8443] Port to bind to
    * @param {String} [options.webHook.key] Path to file with PEM private key for webHook server. (Read synchronously!)
@@ -59,7 +60,10 @@ class TelegramBot extends EventEmitter {
     this._onReplyToMessages = [];
 
     if (options.polling) {
-      this.initPolling();
+      const autoStart = options.polling.autoStart;
+      if (typeof autoStart === 'undefined' || autoStart === true) {
+        this.initPolling();
+      }
     }
 
     if (options.webHook) {