diff --git a/binarycpython/utils/HPC.py b/binarycpython/utils/HPC.py
index a6757b11883d5d98599bb5b473ed60fe767ba6eb..a4916d0c00750cb100b1fcea87ef739a55e2bb4f 100644
--- a/binarycpython/utils/HPC.py
+++ b/binarycpython/utils/HPC.py
@@ -92,12 +92,14 @@ class HPC(condor,slurm):
                 print("found {} and {}".format(file,savedfile))
 
         # check for joiningfile again
-        if os.path.exists(joiningfile):
+        if self.grid_options['HPC_force_join'] == 1:
+            print("Forcing join because HPC_force_join is set")
+        elif os.path.exists(joiningfile):
             if vb:
                 print("cannot join: joiningfile exists at {}".format(joiningfile))
             return False
         elif vb:
-            print("joiningfile does not exist")
+            print("joiningfile does not exist : can join")
 
         if vb:
             print("returning True from HPC_can_join()")