diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 87bc6fd..29b35da 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ Pull the latest container for the latest Deemix version
 | `-e DEEMIX_SINGLE_USER=true` | OPTIONAL: Similar to the ARL functionality in previous iterations. See below for details |
 | `-p 6595:6595` | Port opened for the web interface |
 | `-e INTPORT=3333` | EXTRA OPTIONAL: This changes the internal port of deemix. DON'T CHANGE THIS IF YOU DONT KNOW WHY YOU WOULD DO IT |
+| `-e DISABLE_OWNERSHIP_CHECK=true` | EXTRA OPTIONAL: This disables the ownership check on the downloads folder. Can lead to download issues if the folder is not owned by the correct user. DON'T USE THIS IF YOU DONT KNOW WHY YOU WOULD NEED IT |
 | `registry.gitlab.com/bockiii/deemix-docker` | This container |
 
 To access the web interface, go to http://YOURSERVERIP:6595 
diff --git a/root/etc/cont-init.d/10-fix_folders b/root/etc/cont-init.d/10-fix_folders
index fcdbaae..a214d9d 100644
--- a/root/etc/cont-init.d/10-fix_folders
+++ b/root/etc/cont-init.d/10-fix_folders
@@ -1,12 +1,18 @@
 #!/usr/bin/with-contenv bash
 
 # test write access to download and config folder and test internet connectivity
-printf '[cont-init.d] Fixing Folder Permissions\n'
+printf '[cont-init.d] Fixing Folder Permissions - Config Folder\n'
 
 chown -R abc:abc /config
 
 # find all folders in the download folder and own them to the container user. This will not change files but should run quicker on big collections.
-find /downloads -type d -exec chown abc:abc {} +
+if [ ! -z ${DISABLE_OWNERSHIP_CHECK} ]; then
+    printf '[cont-init.d] Download Folder Ownership Check disabled by Environment Variable\n'
+else
+    printf '[cont-init.d] Fixing Folder Permissions - Downloads Folder\n'
+	find /downloads -type d -exec chown abc:abc {} +
+fi
+
 
 # add executability to server
 chmod +x /deemix-server