diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index efd32d5..4260f0f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ the httpd module, you will have to add to the list `opensips-http-modules`. Defa
 (`[]`) - no other modules are installed.
 * `opensips_config` - specify a configuration template that is going to be
 used instead of the default opensips configuration file.
+* `opensips_start` - specify whether OpenSIPS should be started/restarted. Default value is `yes`.
 
 Example Playbook
 ----------------
diff --git a/handlers/main.yml b/handlers/main.yml
index 4d923f3..a4aed2b 100644
--- a/handlers/main.yml
+++ b/handlers/main.yml
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 ---
 # handlers file for opensips
 
-- name: opensips start
+- name: opensips enable
   service:
     name: opensips
     enabled: true
-    state: started
 
 - name: opensips restart
   service:
     name: opensips
     state: restarted
+  when: opensips_start | default(True)
diff --git a/tasks/debian.yml b/tasks/debian.yml
index 7d0ba66..fdfbc64 100644
--- a/tasks/debian.yml
+++ b/tasks/debian.yml
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
     name: opensips
     state: present
   notify:
-    - opensips start
+    - opensips enable
     - opensips restart
   register: apt_install_result
   until: apt_install_result is success
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
     state: present
   when: opensips_modules is defined and opensips_modules | length
   notify:
-    - opensips start
+    - opensips enable
     - opensips restart
   register: apt_modules_install_result
   until: apt_modules_install_result is success
diff --git a/tasks/redhatdnf.yml b/tasks/redhatdnf.yml
index eab388b..34b2305 100644
--- a/tasks/redhatdnf.yml
+++ b/tasks/redhatdnf.yml
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
     name: opensips
     state: present
   notify:
-    - opensips start
+    - opensips enable
     - opensips restart
   register: dnf_install_result
   until: dnf_install_result is success
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
     state: present
   when: opensips_modules is defined and opensips_modules | length
   notify:
-    - opensips start
+    - opensips enable
     - opensips restart
   register: dnf_modules_install_result
   until: dnf_modules_install_result is success
diff --git a/tasks/redhatyum.yml b/tasks/redhatyum.yml
index d875b4d..8124b75 100644
--- a/tasks/redhatyum.yml
+++ b/tasks/redhatyum.yml
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
     name: opensips
     state: present
   notify:
-    - opensips start
+    - opensips enable
     - opensips restart
   register: yum_install_result
   until: yum_install_result is success
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
     state: present
   when: opensips_modules is defined and opensips_modules | length
   notify:
-    - opensips start
+    - opensips enable
     - opensips restart
   register: yum_modules_install_result
   until: yum_modules_install_result is success