diff --git a/epicyon.py b/epicyon.py
index 5459dd8dd..89dd7d516 100644
--- a/epicyon.py
+++ b/epicyon.py
@@ -137,6 +137,8 @@ parser.add_argument("--cw", type=str2bool, nargs='?', \
                     help="Default capabilities don't allow posts without content warnings")
 parser.add_argument('--icon','--avatar', dest='avatar', type=str,default=None, \
                     help='Set the avatar filename for an account')
+parser.add_argument('--image','--background', dest='backgroundImage', type=str,default=None, \
+                    help='Set the profile background image for an account')
 args = parser.parse_args()
 
 debug=False
@@ -409,12 +411,26 @@ if args.avatar:
         print('Specify a nickname with --nickname [name]')
         sys.exit()
     if setProfileImage(baseDir,httpPrefix,args.nickname,domain, \
-                       port,args.avatar,'avatar'):
+                       port,args.avatar,'avatar','128x128'):
         print('Avatar added for '+args.nickname)
     else:
         print('Avatar was not added for '+args.nickname)
     sys.exit()    
-    
+
+if args.backgroundImage:
+    if not os.path.isfile(args.backgroundImage):
+        print(args.backgroundImage+' is not an image filename')
+        sys.exit()
+    if not args.nickname:
+        print('Specify a nickname with --nickname [name]')
+        sys.exit()
+    if setProfileImage(baseDir,httpPrefix,args.nickname,domain, \
+                       port,args.backgroundImage,'background','256x256'):
+        print('Background image added for '+args.nickname)
+    else:
+        print('Background image was not added for '+args.nickname)
+    sys.exit()    
+
 if federationList:
     print('Federating with: '+str(federationList))
 
diff --git a/person.py b/person.py
index 56a5d8470..e752c1585 100644
--- a/person.py
+++ b/person.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def generateRSAKey() -> (str,str):
     return privateKeyPem,publicKeyPem
 
 def setProfileImage(baseDir: str,httpPrefix :str,nickname: str,domain: str, \
-                    port :int,imageFilename: str,imageType :str) -> bool:
+                    port :int,imageFilename: str,imageType :str,resolution :str) -> bool:
     """Saves the given image file as an avatar or background
     image for the given person
     """
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def setProfileImage(baseDir: str,httpPrefix :str,nickname: str,domain: str, \
         with open(personFilename, 'w') as fp:
             commentjson.dump(personJson, fp, indent=4, sort_keys=False)
 
-        cmd = '/usr/bin/convert '+imageFilename+' -size 128x128 -quality 50 '+profileFilename
+        cmd = '/usr/bin/convert '+imageFilename+' -size '+resolution+' -quality 50 '+profileFilename
         subprocess.call(cmd, shell=True)
         return True
     return False