diff --git a/manifest_xml.py b/manifest_xml.py
index be74bf4..22758cf 100644
--- a/manifest_xml.py
+++ b/manifest_xml.py
@@ -626,6 +626,13 @@
     return set(x.strip() for x in exclude.split(','))
 
   @property
+  def UseLocalManifests(self):
+    return self._load_local_manifests
+
+  def SetUseLocalManifests(self, value):
+    self._load_local_manifests = value
+
+  @property
   def HasLocalManifests(self):
     return self._load_local_manifests and self.local_manifests
 
diff --git a/subcmds/manifest.py b/subcmds/manifest.py
index 00587d8..0fbdeac 100644
--- a/subcmds/manifest.py
+++ b/subcmds/manifest.py
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@
                  help='output manifest in JSON format (experimental)')
     p.add_option('--pretty', default=False, action='store_true',
                  help='format output for humans to read')
+    p.add_option('--no-local-manifests', default=False, action='store_true',
+                 dest='ignore_local_manifests', help='ignore local manifests')
     p.add_option('-o', '--output-file',
                  dest='output_file',
                  default='-',
@@ -85,6 +87,9 @@
       fd = sys.stdout
     else:
       fd = open(opt.output_file, 'w')
+
+    self.manifest.SetUseLocalManifests(not opt.ignore_local_manifests)
+
     if opt.json:
       print('warning: --json is experimental!', file=sys.stderr)
       doc = self.manifest.ToDict(peg_rev=opt.peg_rev,