diff --git a/server/service_windows.go b/server/service_windows.go
index 2920f74b..a7ab37d7 100644
--- a/server/service_windows.go
+++ b/server/service_windows.go
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ type winServiceWrapper struct {
 }
 
 var dockerized = false
+var startupDelay = 10 * time.Second
 
 func init() {
 	if v, exists := os.LookupEnv("NATS_DOCKERIZED"); exists && v == "1" {
@@ -66,8 +67,16 @@ func (w *winServiceWrapper) Execute(args []string, changes <-chan svc.ChangeRequ
 	status <- svc.Status{State: svc.StartPending}
 	go w.server.Start()
 
+	if v, exists := os.LookupEnv("NATS_STARTUP_DELAY"); exists {
+		delay, err := time.ParseDuration(v)
+		if err == nil {
+			startupDelay = delay
+		} else {
+			w.server.Errorf("Failed to parse \"%v\" as a duration for startup: %s", v, err)
+		}
+	}
 	// Wait for accept loop(s) to be started
-	if !w.server.ReadyForConnections(10 * time.Second) {
+	if !w.server.ReadyForConnections(startupDelay) {
 		// Failed to start.
 		return false, 1
 	}