diff --git a/repmgr-action-standby.c b/repmgr-action-standby.c
index 2c3268aa..4b094085 100644
--- a/repmgr-action-standby.c
+++ b/repmgr-action-standby.c
@@ -5230,6 +5230,18 @@ do_standby_switchover(void)
 			  format_lsn(replication_info.last_wal_receive_lsn),
 			  format_lsn(remote_last_checkpoint_lsn));
 
+	/*
+	 * optionally add a delay before promoting the standby; this is mainly
+	 * useful for testing (e.g. for reappearance of the original primary) and
+	 * is not documented.
+	 */
+	if (config_file_options.promote_delay > 0)
+	{
+		log_debug("sleeping %i seconds before promoting standby",
+				  config_file_options.promote_delay);
+		sleep(config_file_options.promote_delay);
+	}
+
 	/*
 	 * Promote standby (local node).
 	 *