diff --git a/base-config.yaml b/base-config.yaml
index df3b640..59bc87d 100644
--- a/base-config.yaml
+++ b/base-config.yaml
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@ greeting_rooms:
   '!someotherroom:server.tld': generic
   '!myencryptedroomid:server.tld': encrypted
 
+# how long to wait (in seconds) before sending a greeting to a new
+welcome_sleep: 0
+
 # add a room ID here to send a message to when someone joins the above rooms
 # (optional)
 notification_room: 
diff --git a/community/bot.py b/community/bot.py
index 2fac6ad..fc1e8a0 100644
--- a/community/bot.py
+++ b/community/bot.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from .db import upgrade_table
 class Config(BaseProxyConfig):
     def do_update(self, helper: ConfigUpdateHelper) -> None:
         helper.copy("sleep")
+        helper.copy("welcome_sleep")
         helper.copy("admins")
         helper.copy("moderators")
         helper.copy("parent_room")
@@ -305,6 +306,7 @@ class CommunityBot(Plugin):
                 pill = '<a href="https://matrix.to/#/{mxid}">{nick}</a>'.format(mxid=evt.sender, nick=nick)
                 if greeting_name != "none":
                     greeting = greeting_map[greeting_name].format(user=pill)
+                    time.sleep(self.config['welcome_sleep'])
                     await self.client.send_notice(evt.room_id, html=greeting) 
                 else:
                     pass