diff --git a/binarycpython/utils/HPC.py b/binarycpython/utils/HPC.py
index 3f0af14d689e7419364bea3a05acd4a48958635c..a6757b11883d5d98599bb5b473ed60fe767ba6eb 100644
--- a/binarycpython/utils/HPC.py
+++ b/binarycpython/utils/HPC.py
@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ class HPC(condor,slurm):
         Check the joinfiles to make sure they all exist
         and their .saved equivalents also exist
         """
-        if os.path.exists(joiningfile):
+        if self.grid_options['HPC_force_join'] == 0 and \
+           os.path.exists(joiningfile):
             if vb:
                 print("cannot join: joiningfile exists at {}".format(joiningfile))
             return False