diff --git a/doc/manpages/qvm-shutdown.rst b/doc/manpages/qvm-shutdown.rst
index f9239f0..4d08d99 100644
--- a/doc/manpages/qvm-shutdown.rst
+++ b/doc/manpages/qvm-shutdown.rst
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Options
 
 .. option:: --all
 
-   perform the action on all qubes
+   perform the action on all qubes; implies :option:`--force`
 
 .. option:: --exclude=EXCLUDE
 
@@ -35,12 +35,18 @@ Options
 
    wait for the VMs to shut down. If some domains are providing network to other
    domains, wait for those domains to shut down before shutting down their
-   dependents.
+   dependents, unless :option:`--all` was specified
 
 .. option:: --timeout
 
    timeout after which domains are killed when using :option:`--wait`
 
+.. option:: --force
+
+   force qube shutdown, regardless of whether there exist any connected domains
+   (such as those using it as network VM)
+
+
 Authors
 -------
 
diff --git a/qubesadmin/tools/qvm_shutdown.py b/qubesadmin/tools/qvm_shutdown.py
index 12f4a95..fe0b68d 100644
--- a/qubesadmin/tools/qvm_shutdown.py
+++ b/qubesadmin/tools/qvm_shutdown.py
@@ -50,11 +50,16 @@ parser.add_argument('--timeout',
     help='timeout after which domains are killed when using --wait'
         ' (default: %(default)d)')
 
+parser.add_argument(
+    '--force',
+    action='store_true', default=False,
+    help='force shutdown regardless of connected domains; use with caution')
+
 
 def main(args=None, app=None):  # pylint: disable=missing-docstring
     args = parser.parse_args(args, app=app)
 
-    force = bool(args.all_domains)
+    force = args.force or bool(args.all_domains)
 
     if have_events:
         loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()