diff --git a/blocking.py b/blocking.py
index 87e2888bc..a1b66918e 100644
--- a/blocking.py
+++ b/blocking.py
@@ -9,20 +9,21 @@ __status__ = "Production"
 import os
 
 def addBlock(baseDir: str,nickname: str,domain: str, \
-             blockNickname: str,blockDomain: str) -> None:
+             blockNickname: str,blockDomain: str) -> bool:
     """Block the given account
     """
     blockingFilename=baseDir+'/accounts/'+nickname+'@'+domain+'/blocking.txt'
     blockHandle=blockNickName+'@'+blockDomain
     if os.path.isfile(blockingFilename):
         if blockHandle in open(blockingFilename).read():
-            return
+            return False
     blockFile=open(blockingFilename, "a+")
     blockFile.write(blockHandle+'\n')
     blockFile.close()
+    return True
 
 def removeBlock(baseDir: str,nickname: str,domain: str, \
-                unblockNickname: str,unblockDomain: str) -> None:
+                unblockNickname: str,unblockDomain: str) -> bool:
     """Unblock the given account
     """
     unblockingFilename=baseDir+'/accounts/'+nickname+'@'+domain+'/blocking.txt'
@@ -37,6 +38,8 @@ def removeBlock(baseDir: str,nickname: str,domain: str, \
                             fpnew.write(handle+'\n')
             if os.path.isfile(unblockingFilename+'.new'):
                 os.rename(unblockingFilename+'.new',unblockingFilename)
+                return True
+    return False
                     
 def isBlocked(baseDir: str,nickname: str,domain: str, \
               blockNickname: str,blockDomain: str) -> bool:
diff --git a/epicyon.py b/epicyon.py
index e4f0fb9f1..35c0bfdb6 100644
--- a/epicyon.py
+++ b/epicyon.py
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ from posts import getUserUrl
 from posts import archivePosts
 from session import createSession
 from session import getJson
+from blocking import addBlock
+from blocking import removeBlock
 import json
 import os
 import shutil
@@ -185,6 +187,10 @@ parser.add_argument('--level', dest='skillLevelPercent', type=int,default=None,
                     help='Set a skill level for a person as a percentage, or zero to remove')
 parser.add_argument('--status','--availability', dest='availability', type=str,default=None, \
                     help='Set an availability status')
+parser.add_argument('--block', dest='block', type=str,default=None, \
+                    help='Block a particular address')
+parser.add_argument('--unblock', dest='unblock', type=str,default=None, \
+                    help='Remove a block on a particular address')
 args = parser.parse_args()
 
 debug=False
@@ -586,6 +592,28 @@ if not os.path.isdir(baseDir+'/accounts/'+nickname+'@'+domain):
     setConfigParam(baseDir,'adminPassword',adminPassword)
     createPerson(baseDir,nickname,domain,port,httpPrefix,True,adminPassword)
 
+if args.block:
+    if not args.nickname:
+        print('Please specify a nickname')
+        sys.exit()
+    if '@' not in args.block:
+        print('syntax: --block nickname@domain')
+        sys.exit()
+    if addBlock(baseDir,args.nickname,domain,args.block.split('@')[0],args.block.split('@')[1].replace('\n','')):
+        print(args.block+' is blocked by '+args.nickname)
+    sys.exit()
+
+if args.unblock:
+    if not args.nickname:
+        print('Please specify a nickname')
+        sys.exit()
+    if '@' not in args.block:
+        print('syntax: --unblock nickname@domain')
+        sys.exit()
+    if removeBlock(baseDir,args.nickname,domain,args.block.split('@')[0],args.block.split('@')[1].replace('\n','')):
+        print('The block on '+args.block+' was removed by '+args.nickname)
+    sys.exit()
+
 if args.testdata:
     useBlurhash=False    
     nickname='testuser567'