--- a/src/toplev.cc
+++ b/src/toplev.cc
@@ -78,6 +78,9 @@
 // TRUE means we are exiting via the builtin exit or quit functions.
 static bool quitting_gracefully = false;
 
+// TRUE means we've processed all the init code and we are good to go.
+bool octave_initialized = false;
+
 // Current command to execute.
 tree_statement_list *global_command = 0;
 
@@ -108,6 +111,8 @@
 
   octave_catch_interrupts ();
 
+  octave_initialized = true;
+
   // The big loop.
 
   int retval = 0;