diff --git a/bzz/protocol.go b/bzz/protocol.go
index a298370a25..9b26d4331e 100644
--- a/bzz/protocol.go
+++ b/bzz/protocol.go
@@ -209,6 +209,9 @@ func (self *bzzProtocol) handle() error {
 			return self.protoError(ErrDecode, "->msg %v: %v", msg, err)
 		}
 		dpaLogger.Warnf("Request message: %#v", req)
+		if req.Key == nil || req.Timeout == nil {
+			return self.protoError(ErrDecode, "protocol handler: req.Key == nil || req.Timeout == nil")
+		}
 		req.peer = peer{bzzProtocol: self}
 		self.netStore.addRetrieveRequest(&req)
 
diff --git a/cmd/ethereum/flags.go b/cmd/ethereum/flags.go
index f829744dc9..d69ea5cfb6 100644
--- a/cmd/ethereum/flags.go
+++ b/cmd/ethereum/flags.go
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ var (
 	SHH             bool
 	Dial            bool
 	PrintVersion    bool
+	Peers           string
 )
 
 // flags specific to cli client
@@ -103,6 +104,7 @@ func Init() {
 	flag.BoolVar(&SHH, "shh", true, "whisper protocol (on)")
 	flag.BoolVar(&Dial, "dial", true, "dial out connections (on)")
 	flag.BoolVar(&GenAddr, "genaddr", false, "create a new priv/pub key")
+	flag.StringVar(&Peers, "peers", "", "imports the file given (hex or mnemonic formats)")
 	flag.StringVar(&SecretFile, "import", "", "imports the file given (hex or mnemonic formats)")
 	flag.StringVar(&ExportDir, "export", "", "exports the session keyring to files in the directory given")
 	flag.StringVar(&LogFile, "logfile", "", "log file (defaults to standard output)")
diff --git a/cmd/ethereum/main.go b/cmd/ethereum/main.go
index b816c678e7..ea53b9a304 100644
--- a/cmd/ethereum/main.go
+++ b/cmd/ethereum/main.go
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func main() {
 		utils.StartWebSockets(ethereum)
 	}
 
-	utils.StartEthereum(ethereum, UseSeed)
+	utils.StartEthereum(ethereum, UseSeed, Peers)
 
 	if StartJsConsole {
 		InitJsConsole(ethereum)
diff --git a/cmd/utils/cmd.go b/cmd/utils/cmd.go
index a57d3266f1..06e3fb93f1 100644
--- a/cmd/utils/cmd.go
+++ b/cmd/utils/cmd.go
@@ -120,9 +120,9 @@ func exit(err error) {
 	os.Exit(status)
 }
 
-func StartEthereum(ethereum *eth.Ethereum, UseSeed bool) {
+func StartEthereum(ethereum *eth.Ethereum, UseSeed bool, Peers string) {
 	clilogger.Infof("Starting %s", ethereum.ClientIdentity())
-	err := ethereum.Start(UseSeed)
+	err := ethereum.Start(UseSeed, Peers)
 	if err != nil {
 		exit(err)
 	}
diff --git a/eth/backend.go b/eth/backend.go
index 0e51f3a277..db8a246055 100644
--- a/eth/backend.go
+++ b/eth/backend.go
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ func (s *Ethereum) MaxPeers() int {
 }
 
 // Start the ethereum
-func (s *Ethereum) Start(seed bool) error {
+func (s *Ethereum) Start(seed bool, p string) error {
 	err := s.net.Start()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -255,6 +255,12 @@ func (s *Ethereum) Start(seed bool) error {
 	s.blockSub = s.eventMux.Subscribe(core.NewMinedBlockEvent{})
 	go s.blockBroadcastLoop()
 
+	if len(p) > 0 {
+		if err := s.SuggestPeer(p); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
 	// TODO: read peers here
 	if seed {
 		logger.Infof("Connect to seed node %v", seedNodeAddress)