diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/Getdown.java b/src/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/Getdown.java
index 9b95fdf..8fdfe5c 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/Getdown.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/Getdown.java
@@ -835,7 +835,8 @@ public abstract class Getdown extends Thread
      */
     protected boolean invokeDirect ()
     {
-        return false;
+        // allow passing -Ddirect=true to force direct invocation
+        return Boolean.getBoolean("direct");
     }
 
     /**