diff --git a/stella/src/stellarc b/stella/src/stellarc
index 938b7f729..2f369bfd2 100644
--- a/stella/src/stellarc
+++ b/stella/src/stellarc
@@ -12,9 +12,10 @@
 ;  Values are the same as those allowed on the commandline.
 ;  Boolean values are specified as 1 (for true) and 0 (for false)
 ;
+;  LINUX VERSION
 ;  This file can be put in "/etc/stellarc" for system-wide access
 ;  or in "$HOME/.stella/stellarc" for individual users.
-                       
+
 ;display    = <display>
 ;fps        = <number>
 ;owncmap    = <0|1>
@@ -30,3 +31,4 @@
 ;ssname     = <romname|md5sum>
 ;sssingle   = <0|1>
 ;accurate   = <0|1>
+;Dmerge     = <0|1>
diff --git a/stella/src/ui/common/Settings.cxx b/stella/src/ui/common/Settings.cxx
index 0c323ead9..0d3da6047 100644
--- a/stella/src/ui/common/Settings.cxx
+++ b/stella/src/ui/common/Settings.cxx
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 // See the file "license" for information on usage and redistribution of
 // this file, and for a DISCLAIMER OF ALL WARRANTIES.
 //
-// $Id: Settings.cxx,v 1.5 2002-11-11 02:55:15 stephena Exp $
+// $Id: Settings.cxx,v 1.6 2002-11-11 22:14:56 stephena Exp $
 //============================================================================
 
 #ifdef DEVELOPER_SUPPORT
@@ -388,5 +388,15 @@ void Settings::handleRCFile(istream& in)
       else if(option == 0)
         theMultipleSnapShotFlag = true;
     }
+#ifdef DEVELOPER_SUPPORT
+    else if(key == "Dmerge")
+    {
+      uInt32 option = atoi(value.c_str());
+      if(option == 1)
+        theMergePropertiesFlag = true;
+      else if(option == 0)
+        theMergePropertiesFlag = false;
+    }
+#endif
   }
 }