diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 64735dd..a509f39 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ I could add some padding to each packet to make it look pseudo-HTTP-like, howeve
 | LAIKA_PRIVKEY     | Sets CNC's private key                | -DLAIKA_PRIVKEY=1dbd33962f1e170d1e745c6d3e19175049b5616822fac2fa3535d7477957a841  |
 | LAIKA_CNC_IP      | Sets CNC's public ip                  | -DLAIKA_CNC_IP=127.0.0.1                                                          |
 | LAIKA_CNC_PORT    | Sets CNC's bind()'d port              | -DLAIKA_CNC_PORT=13337                                                            |
+| LAIKA_PERSISTENCE | Enables persistence for LaikaBot      | -DLAIKA_PERSISTENCE=On                                                            |
 > examples are passed to `cmake -B <dir>`
 
 ## Configuration and compilation
diff --git a/bot/include/persist.h b/bot/include/persist.h
index 4b8070d..161fc24 100644
--- a/bot/include/persist.h
+++ b/bot/include/persist.h
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 #ifndef LAIKA_PERSIST_H
 #define LAIKA_PERSIST_H
 
-/* undefine to enable persistence */
+#include "lconfig.h"
+
+#ifndef LAIKA_PERSISTENCE
 #define LAIKA_NOINSTALL
+#endif
 
 #include <stdbool.h>
 
diff --git a/lib/include/lconfig.h.in b/lib/include/lconfig.h.in
index 09d0caf..4c962ce 100644
--- a/lib/include/lconfig.h.in
+++ b/lib/include/lconfig.h.in
@@ -12,4 +12,7 @@
 #define LAIKA_CNC_IP "@LAIKA_CNC_IP@"
 #define LAIKA_CNC_PORT "@LAIKA_CNC_PORT@"
 
+/* settings */
+#cmakedefine LAIKA_PERSISTENCE
+
 #endif
\ No newline at end of file