diff --git a/src/test/perl/PostgreSQL/Test/BackgroundPsql.pm b/src/test/perl/PostgreSQL/Test/BackgroundPsql.pm
index 3c2aca1c5d7..c7a3d3e920d 100644
--- a/src/test/perl/PostgreSQL/Test/BackgroundPsql.pm
+++ b/src/test/perl/PostgreSQL/Test/BackgroundPsql.pm
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ use Test::More;
 
 =over
 
-=item PostgreSQL::Test::BackgroundPsql->new(interactive, @psql_params, timeout)
+=item PostgreSQL::Test::BackgroundPsql->new(interactive, @psql_params, timeout, wait)
 
 Builds a new object of class C<PostgreSQL::Test::BackgroundPsql> for either
 an interactive or background session and starts it. If C<interactive> is
@@ -76,12 +76,15 @@ true then a PTY will be attached. C<psql_params> should contain the full
 command to run psql with all desired parameters and a complete connection
 string. For C<interactive> sessions, IO::Pty is required.
 
+This routine will not return until psql has started up and is ready to
+consume input. Set B<wait> to 0 to return immediately instead.
+
 =cut
 
 sub new
 {
 	my $class = shift;
-	my ($interactive, $psql_params, $timeout) = @_;
+	my ($interactive, $psql_params, $timeout, $wait) = @_;
 	my $psql = {
 		'stdin' => '',
 		'stdout' => '',
@@ -119,14 +122,25 @@ sub new
 
 	my $self = bless $psql, $class;
 
-	$self->_wait_connect();
+	$wait = 1 unless defined($wait);
+	if ($wait)
+	{
+		$self->wait_connect();
+	}
 
 	return $self;
 }
 
-# Internal routine for awaiting psql starting up and being ready to consume
-# input.
-sub _wait_connect
+=pod
+
+=item $session->wait_connect
+
+Returns once psql has started up and is ready to consume input. This is called
+automatically for clients unless requested otherwise in the constructor.
+
+=cut
+
+sub wait_connect
 {
 	my ($self) = @_;
 
@@ -187,7 +201,7 @@ sub reconnect_and_clear
 	$self->{stdin} = '';
 	$self->{stdout} = '';
 
-	$self->_wait_connect();
+	$self->wait_connect();
 }
 
 =pod
diff --git a/src/test/perl/PostgreSQL/Test/Cluster.pm b/src/test/perl/PostgreSQL/Test/Cluster.pm
index 007571e948e..e5526c7565f 100644
--- a/src/test/perl/PostgreSQL/Test/Cluster.pm
+++ b/src/test/perl/PostgreSQL/Test/Cluster.pm
@@ -2286,6 +2286,12 @@ connection.
 
 If given, it must be an array reference containing additional parameters to B<psql>.
 
+=item wait => 1
+
+By default, this method will not return until connection has completed (or
+failed). Set B<wait> to 0 to return immediately instead. (Clients can call the
+session's C<wait_connect> method manually when needed.)
+
 =back
 
 =cut
@@ -2316,13 +2322,15 @@ sub background_psql
 		'-XAtq', '-d', $psql_connstr, '-f', '-');
 
 	$params{on_error_stop} = 1 unless defined $params{on_error_stop};
+	$params{wait} = 1 unless defined $params{wait};
 	$timeout = $params{timeout} if defined $params{timeout};
 
 	push @psql_params, '-v', 'ON_ERROR_STOP=1' if $params{on_error_stop};
 	push @psql_params, @{ $params{extra_params} }
 	  if defined $params{extra_params};
 
-	return PostgreSQL::Test::BackgroundPsql->new(0, \@psql_params, $timeout);
+	return PostgreSQL::Test::BackgroundPsql->new(0, \@psql_params, $timeout,
+		$params{wait});
 }
 
 =pod