diff --git a/start.sh b/start.sh
index c649aba..f79356d 100755
--- a/start.sh
+++ b/start.sh
@@ -35,4 +35,7 @@ done ;
 echo "Selected PERL5LIB=$PERL5LIB";
 
 # start ledgersmb
-exec starman --port 5762 tools/starman.psgi
+# --preload-app allows application initialization to kill the entire
+# starman instance (instead of just the worker, which will immediately
+# get restarted); it also has a positive effect on memory use
+exec starman --port 5762 --preload-app tools/starman.psgi