diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index c894a227..e6e53734 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -1580,8 +1580,11 @@ skipopen:
           }
         }
         pmsg_error("unable to read signature data, rc=%d\n", rc);
-        exitrc = 1;
-        goto main_exit;
+        if(!ovsigck) {
+          imsg_error("use -F to override this check\n");
+          exitrc = 1;
+          goto main_exit;
+        }
       }
     }