diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6736b417..40b57165 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -369,6 +369,7 @@ The following indicators are used in the detail view:
 | --- | --- |
 | `NNN_BMS='d:~/Documents;D:~/Docs archive/'` | specify bookmarks (max 10) |
 | `NNN_OPENER=mimeopen` | custom file opener |
+| `NNN_OPENER_DETACH=1` | do not block when invoking file opener |
 | `NNN_CONTEXT_COLORS='1234'` | specify per context color [default: '4444' (all blue)] |
 | `NNN_IDLE_TIMEOUT=300` | idle seconds before locking terminal [default: disabled] |
 | `NNN_COPIER='copier.sh'` | system clipboard copier script [default: none] |
diff --git a/nnn.1 b/nnn.1
index f442eb23..3a96e1bd 100644
--- a/nnn.1
+++ b/nnn.1
@@ -155,6 +155,11 @@ when dealing with the !, e and p commands respectively. A single combination to
     export NNN_OPENER=mimeopen
 .Ed
 .Pp
+\fBNNN_OPENER_DETACH:\fR do not block when invoking file opener.
+.Bd -literal
+    export NNN_OPENER_DETACH=1
+.Ed
+.Pp
 \fBNNN_CONTEXT_COLORS:\fR string of color codes for each context, e.g.:
 .Bd -literal
     export NNN_CONTEXT_COLORS='1234'
diff --git a/src/nnn.c b/src/nnn.c
index 8ff177dd..930f4950 100644
--- a/src/nnn.c
+++ b/src/nnn.c
@@ -256,6 +256,7 @@ static bm bookmark[BM_MAX];
 static size_t g_tmpfplen; /* path to tmp files for copy without X, keybind help and file stats */
 static uchar g_crc;
 static uchar BLK_SHIFT = 9;
+static uchar opener_flag = F_NOTRACE;
 static bool interrupted = FALSE;
 
 /* Retain old signal handlers */
@@ -362,9 +363,10 @@ static const char * const messages[] = {
 #define NNN_NO_AUTOSELECT 10
 #define NNN_RESTRICT_NAV_OPEN 11
 #define NNN_RESTRICT_0B 12
-#define NNN_TRASH 13
+#define NNN_OPENER_DETACH 13
+#define NNN_TRASH 14
 #ifdef __linux__
-#define NNN_OPS_PROG 14
+#define NNN_OPS_PROG 15
 #endif
 
 static const char * const env_cfg[] = {
@@ -381,6 +383,7 @@ static const char * const env_cfg[] = {
 	"NNN_NO_AUTOSELECT",
 	"NNN_RESTRICT_NAV_OPEN",
 	"NNN_RESTRICT_0B",
+	"NNN_OPENER_DETACH",
 	"NNN_TRASH",
 #ifdef __linux__
 	"NNN_OPS_PROG",
@@ -3039,7 +3042,7 @@ nochange:
 				}
 
 				/* Invoke desktop opener as last resort */
-				spawn(opener, newpath, NULL, NULL, F_NOTRACE);
+				spawn(opener, newpath, NULL, NULL, opener_flag);
 				continue;
 			}
 			default:
@@ -4103,6 +4106,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	/* Get custom opener, if set */
 	opener = xgetenv(env_cfg[NNN_OPENER], utils[OPENER]);
+	if (getenv(env_cfg[NNN_OPENER_DETACH]))
+		opener_flag |= F_NOWAIT;
 
 	/* Set nnn nesting level, idletimeout used as tmp var */
 	idletimeout = xatoi(getenv(env_cfg[NNNLVL]));