diff --git a/openpype/hooks/pre_add_last_workfile_arg.py b/openpype/hooks/pre_add_last_workfile_arg.py
index 3609620917..ffb116d2e4 100644
--- a/openpype/hooks/pre_add_last_workfile_arg.py
+++ b/openpype/hooks/pre_add_last_workfile_arg.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import os
+
 from openpype.lib import PreLaunchHook
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 
 
 class AddLastWorkfileToLaunchArgs(PreLaunchHook):
@@ -40,5 +42,15 @@ class AddLastWorkfileToLaunchArgs(PreLaunchHook):
             self.log.info("Current context does not have any workfile yet.")
             return
 
+        # Determine whether to open workfile post initialization.
+        if self.data["app"].host_name == "maya":
+            project_name = self.data["project_name"]
+            settings = get_project_settings(project_name)
+            key = "open_workfile_post_initialization"
+            if settings["maya"][key]:
+                self.log.debug("Opening workfile post initialization.")
+                self.data["env"]["OPENPYPE_" + key.upper()] = "1"
+                return
+
         # Add path to workfile to arguments
         self.launch_context.launch_args.append(last_workfile)
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/startup/userSetup.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/startup/userSetup.py
index 40cd51f2d8..b64ed93000 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/startup/userSetup.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/startup/userSetup.py
@@ -1,16 +1,27 @@
 import os
+
 from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import install_host
 from openpype.hosts.maya.api import MayaHost
+
 from maya import cmds
 
 host = MayaHost()
 install_host(host)
 
 
-print("starting OpenPype usersetup")
+print("Starting OpenPype usersetup...")
 
-# build a shelf
+# Open Workfile Post Initialization.
+key = "OPENPYPE_OPEN_WORKFILE_POST_INITIALIZATION"
+if bool(int(os.environ.get(key, "0"))):
+    cmds.evalDeferred(
+        "cmds.file(os.environ[\"AVALON_LAST_WORKFILE\"], open=True,"
+        " force=True)",
+        lowestPriority=True
+    )
+
+# Build a shelf.
 settings = get_project_settings(os.environ['AVALON_PROJECT'])
 shelf_preset = settings['maya'].get('project_shelf')
 
@@ -26,7 +37,10 @@ if shelf_preset:
         print(import_string)
         exec(import_string)
 
-    cmds.evalDeferred("mlib.shelf(name=shelf_preset['name'], iconPath=icon_path, preset=shelf_preset)")
+    cmds.evalDeferred(
+        "mlib.shelf(name=shelf_preset['name'], iconPath=icon_path,"
+        " preset=shelf_preset)"
+    )
 
 
-print("finished OpenPype usersetup")
+print("Finished OpenPype usersetup.")
diff --git a/openpype/settings/defaults/project_settings/maya.json b/openpype/settings/defaults/project_settings/maya.json
index 5f40c2a10c..dbc3282ce8 100644
--- a/openpype/settings/defaults/project_settings/maya.json
+++ b/openpype/settings/defaults/project_settings/maya.json
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 {
+    "open_workfile_post_initialization": false,
     "imageio": {
         "colorManagementPreference_v2": {
             "enabled": true,
diff --git a/openpype/settings/entities/schemas/projects_schema/schema_project_maya.json b/openpype/settings/entities/schemas/projects_schema/schema_project_maya.json
index b2d79797a3..b668d74afd 100644
--- a/openpype/settings/entities/schemas/projects_schema/schema_project_maya.json
+++ b/openpype/settings/entities/schemas/projects_schema/schema_project_maya.json
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@
     "label": "Maya",
     "is_file": true,
     "children": [
+        {
+            "type": "boolean",
+            "key": "open_workfile_post_initialization",
+            "label": "Open Workfile Post Initialization"
+        },
         {
             "key": "imageio",
             "type": "dict",