diff --git a/pqcli/__main__.py b/pqcli/__main__.py
index b46b96c..8b29fe5 100644
--- a/pqcli/__main__.py
+++ b/pqcli/__main__.py
@@ -11,7 +11,16 @@ SAVE_PATH = Path(xdg.XDG_CONFIG_HOME) / "pqcli" / "save.dat"
 
 def parse_args() -> argparse.Namespace:
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="pqcli")
-    parser.add_argument("--cheats", help="???", action="store_true")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--no-config",
+        dest="use_config",
+        action="store_false",
+        help=(
+            "Don't load or save configuration files from $XDG_CONFIG_HOME "
+            "(player data will still be saved)"
+        ),
+    )
+    parser.add_argument("--cheats", action="store_true", help="???")
     return parser.parse_args()
 
 
diff --git a/pqcli/ui/__init__.py b/pqcli/ui/__init__.py
index 53181fe..0c8e29c 100644
--- a/pqcli/ui/__init__.py
+++ b/pqcli/ui/__init__.py
@@ -70,8 +70,10 @@ def bind_commands() -> None:
 class Ui:
     def __init__(self, roster: Roster, args: argparse.Namespace) -> None:
         bind_commands()
-        if not load_palette():
-            save_palette()  # create a file for the user to edit
+
+        if args.use_config:
+            if not load_palette():
+                save_palette()  # create a file for the user to edit
 
         self.roster = roster
         self.args = args