diff --git a/coremods/handlers.py b/coremods/handlers.py
index 42d369d..182607b 100644
--- a/coremods/handlers.py
+++ b/coremods/handlers.py
@@ -99,7 +99,8 @@ def handle_whois(irc, source, command, args):
             f(335, source, "%s :is a bot" % nick)
 
         # :charybdis.midnight.vpn 317 GL GL 1946 1499867833 :seconds idle, signon time
-        f(317, source, "%s 0 %s :seconds idle (placeholder), signon time" % (nick, irc.start_ts))
+        if conf.conf['pylink'].get('whois_show_startup_time', True):
+            f(317, source, "%s 0 %s :seconds idle (placeholder), signon time" % (nick, irc.start_ts))
 
         # Call custom WHOIS handlers via the PYLINK_CUSTOM_WHOIS hook, unless the
         # caller is marked a bot and the whois_show_extensions_to_bots option is False
diff --git a/example-conf.yml b/example-conf.yml
index 603843d..e229a74 100644
--- a/example-conf.yml
+++ b/example-conf.yml
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ pylink:
     # accounts for authentication), it is recommended to leave this off.
     whois_show_extensions_to_bots: false
 
+    # Determines whether PyLink should return the daemon startup time in WHOIS. This defaults
+    # to true if not set.
+    #whois_show_startup_time: true
+
     # Determines whether PyLink service clients should protect themselves from
     # kicks, kills, etc. using IRCd-side servprotect modes. For this to work
     # properly, this usually requires that PyLink be U-Lined. This defaults to
diff --git a/protocols/inspircd.py b/protocols/inspircd.py
index 469c8f4..b87474f 100644
--- a/protocols/inspircd.py
+++ b/protocols/inspircd.py
@@ -613,8 +613,12 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         # <- :70MAAAAAA IDLE 1MLAAAAIG
         # -> :1MLAAAAIG IDLE 70MAAAAAA 1433036797 319
 
+        # Allow hiding the startup time if set to do so (if both idle and signon time is 0, InspIRCd omits
+        # showing this line).
+        start_time = self.start_ts if conf.conf['pylink'].get('whois_show_startup_time', True) else 0
+
         # First arg = source, second = signon time, third = idle time
-        self._send_with_prefix(args[0], 'IDLE %s %s 0' % (source, self.start_ts))
+        self._send_with_prefix(args[0], 'IDLE %s %s 0' % (source, start_time))
 
     def handle_ftopic(self, numeric, command, args):
         """Handles incoming FTOPIC (sets topic on burst)."""