diff --git a/k4FWCore/scripts/k4run b/k4FWCore/scripts/k4run
index 68066190..6ddbd8b8 100755
--- a/k4FWCore/scripts/k4run
+++ b/k4FWCore/scripts/k4run
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import argparse
 import logging
 
 from k4FWCore.utils import load_file
-from ROOT import gROOT
 
 # these default properties are filtered as otherwise they will clutter the argument list
 FILTER_GAUDI_PROPS = [
@@ -156,6 +155,7 @@ def main():
         help="Print all the configurable components available in the framework and exit",
     )
     parser.add_argument("--gdb", action="store_true", help="Attach gdb debugger")
+    parser.add_argument("--disableROOTBatchMode", action="store_true", help="Do not enforce ROOT batch mode", default=False)
 
     # Once to parse the files and another time below to have the new parameters
     # in the namespace since parsing of the file happens when the namespace
@@ -229,8 +229,10 @@ def main():
 
     c = gaudimain()
     if not opts.dry_run:
-        # ensure ROOT runs in batch mode
-        gROOT.SetBatch(True)
+        if not opts.disableROOTBatchMode:
+            # ensure ROOT runs in batch mode
+            from ROOT import gROOT
+            gROOT.SetBatch(True)
 
         # Do the real processing
         retcode = c.run(opts.gdb)