diff --git a/src/netcontroller/customtorrc.py b/src/netcontroller/customtorrc.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f12c9d3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/netcontroller/customtorrc.py
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+"""
+    Onionr - Private P2P Communication
+
+    Load or set custom torrc
+"""
+from utils import identifyhome
+"""
+    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+"""
+
+CUSTOM_TORRC_FILE = identifyhome.identify_home() + '/torrc-custom'
+
+
+def set_custom_torrc(torrc_data: str):
+    """write torrc_data to custom torrc file stored in home dir.
+    if set it will be used in addition to onionr's generated settings
+    """
+    torrc_comment = f'\n# BEGIN CUSTOM TORRC FROM {CUSTOM_TORRC_FILE}\n'
+    torrc_data = torrc_comment + torrc_data
+    with open(CUSTOM_TORRC_FILE, 'w') as torrc:
+        torrc.write(torrc_data)
+
+
+def get_custom_torrc() -> str:
+    """read torrc_data from custom torrc file stored in home dir.
+    if set it will be used in addition to onionr's generated settings
+    """
+    torrc = ''
+    try:
+        with open(CUSTOM_TORRC_FILE, 'r') as torrc:
+            torrc = torrc.read()
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        pass
+    return '\n' + torrc
diff --git a/src/netcontroller/netcontrol.py b/src/netcontroller/netcontrol.py
index 32834b24..d2eba18a 100644
--- a/src/netcontroller/netcontrol.py
+++ b/src/netcontroller/netcontrol.py
@@ -22,8 +22,10 @@ import multiprocessing
 import platform # For windows sigkill workaround
 import config, logger
 from . import getopenport
-from utils import identifyhome
 from . import watchdog
+from . import customtorrc
+from utils import identifyhome
+
 config.reload()
 TOR_KILL_WAIT = 3
 
@@ -107,6 +109,8 @@ HiddenServicePort 80 ''' + self.apiServerIP + ''':''' + str(self.hsPort)
 
         torrcData = add_bridges(torrcData)
 
+        torrcData += customtorrc.get_custom_torrc()
+
         torrc = open(self.torConfigLocation, 'w')
         torrc.write(torrcData)
         torrc.close()
diff --git a/src/netcontroller/watchdog.py b/src/netcontroller/watchdog.py
index 9ccbc771..2d6e67f1 100644
--- a/src/netcontroller/watchdog.py
+++ b/src/netcontroller/watchdog.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 """
 
 import time
+import os
 
 import psutil
 
@@ -27,6 +28,12 @@ import psutil
 def watchdog(parent_proc, child_proc):
     """watch for proc1 to die, then kill proc2"""
 
+    try:
+        if os.forkpty() != 0:
+            return
+    except AttributeError:
+        pass
+
     parent_proc = psutil.Process(parent_proc)
     child_proc = psutil.Process(child_proc)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_custom_torrc.py b/tests/test_custom_torrc.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..02b33cdd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_custom_torrc.py
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import sys, os
+sys.path.append(".")
+sys.path.append("src/")
+import unittest, uuid
+
+TEST_DIR = 'testdata/%s-%s' % (uuid.uuid4(), os.path.basename(__file__)) + '/'
+print("Test directory:", TEST_DIR)
+os.environ["ONIONR_HOME"] = TEST_DIR
+from utils import createdirs, identifyhome
+import onionrsetup as setup
+from netcontroller import customtorrc
+createdirs.create_dirs()
+setup.setup_config()
+
+class TestCustomTorrc(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_torrc_get(self):
+        torrc = identifyhome.identify_home() + '/torrc-custom'
+        self.assertEqual(customtorrc.get_custom_torrc(), '\n')
+        with open(torrc, 'w') as torrc_file:
+            torrc_file.write('test')
+        self.assertEqual(customtorrc.get_custom_torrc(), '\ntest')
+        os.remove(torrc)
+
+    def test_torrc_set(self):
+        torrc = identifyhome.identify_home() + '/torrc-custom'
+        customtorrc.set_custom_torrc('test2')
+        with open(torrc, 'r') as torrc_file:
+            self.assertEqual(torrc_file.read().splitlines()[2], 'test2')
+        os.remove(torrc)
+
+unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/test_networkmerger.py b/tests/test_networkmerger.py
index bb6643c0..755d2e7b 100644
--- a/tests/test_networkmerger.py
+++ b/tests/test_networkmerger.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import unittest, uuid
 TEST_DIR = 'testdata/%s-%s' % (uuid.uuid4(), os.path.basename(__file__)) + '/'
 print("Test directory:", TEST_DIR)
 os.environ["ONIONR_HOME"] = TEST_DIR
-from utils import networkmerger, createdirs
+from utils import networkmerger
 from coredb import keydb
 import onionrsetup as setup
 from utils import createdirs