diff --git a/backup.config-example b/backup.config-example
index 1cfe29fb4..7c46142fc 100644
--- a/backup.config-example
+++ b/backup.config-example
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ GHE_NUM_SNAPSHOTS=10
 #
 #GHE_RESTORE_HOST="github-standby.example.com"
 
+# If set to 'yes', ghe-restore will omit the restore of audit logs.
+#
+#GHE_RESTORE_SKIP_AUDIT_LOGS=no
+
 # When verbose output is enabled with `-v`, it's written to stdout by default. If
 # you'd prefer it to be written to a separate file, set this option.
 #
diff --git a/bin/ghe-restore b/bin/ghe-restore
index ea431ebb2..f01beec19 100755
--- a/bin/ghe-restore
+++ b/bin/ghe-restore
@@ -309,8 +309,12 @@ fi
 # Restore exported audit and hookshot logs to 2.12.9 and newer single nodes and
 # all releases of cluster
 if $CLUSTER || [ "$(version $GHE_REMOTE_VERSION)" -ge "$(version 2.12.9)" ]; then
-  echo "Restoring Audit logs ..."
-  ghe-restore-es-audit-log "$GHE_HOSTNAME" 1>&3
+  if [[ "$GHE_RESTORE_SKIP_AUDIT_LOGS" = "yes" ]]; then
+    echo "Skipping restore of audit logs."
+  else
+    echo "Restoring Audit logs ..."
+    ghe-restore-es-audit-log "$GHE_HOSTNAME" 1>&3
+  fi
 
   echo "Restoring hookshot logs ..."
   ghe-restore-es-hookshot "$GHE_HOSTNAME" 1>&3