diff --git a/functions.php b/functions.php
index 4c5059d14..ba92b2ee4 100644
--- a/functions.php
+++ b/functions.php
@@ -2109,6 +2109,9 @@
 		print "<param key=\"confirm_feed_catchup\" value=\"" . 
 			sprintf("%d", get_pref($link, "CONFIRM_FEED_CATCHUP")) . "\"/>";
 
+		print "<param key=\"cdm_auto_catchup\" value=\"" . 
+			sprintf("%d", get_pref($link, "CDM_AUTO_CATCHUP")) . "\"/>";
+
 		print "</init-params>";
 	}
 
diff --git a/viewfeed.js b/viewfeed.js
index 7678fbbaa..54ae82b0d 100644
--- a/viewfeed.js
+++ b/viewfeed.js
@@ -46,10 +46,13 @@ function headlines_callback() {
 
 		if (_cdm_wd_timeout) window.clearTimeout(_cdm_wd_timeout);
 
-		if (!document.getElementById("headlinesList")) {
+		if (!document.getElementById("headlinesList") && 
+				getInitParam("cdm_auto_catchup") == 1) {
 			debug("starting CDM watchdog");
 			_cdm_wd_timeout = window.setTimeout("cdmWatchdog()", 5000);
 			_cdm_wd_vishist = new Array();
+		} else {
+			debug("not in CDM mode or watchdog disabled");
 		}
 
 		if (_tag_cdm_scroll) {