diff --git a/etc/sample_stacktach_worker_config.json b/etc/sample_stacktach_worker_config.json
index 5fea92a..e33ad9e 100644
--- a/etc/sample_stacktach_worker_config.json
+++ b/etc/sample_stacktach_worker_config.json
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@
         "rabbit_port": 5672,
         "rabbit_userid": "rabbit",
         "rabbit_password": "rabbit",
-        "rabbit_virtual_host": "/"
+        "rabbit_virtual_host": "/",
+        "exit_on_exception": true
     },
     {
         "name": "east_coast.prod.cell1",
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@
         "rabbit_port": 5672,
         "rabbit_userid": "rabbit",
         "rabbit_password": "rabbit",
-        "rabbit_virtual_host": "/"
+        "rabbit_virtual_host": "/",
+        "exit_on_exception": false
     }]
 }
diff --git a/worker/worker.py b/worker/worker.py
index db05257..a325f31 100644
--- a/worker/worker.py
+++ b/worker/worker.py
@@ -134,6 +134,11 @@ class NovaConsumer(kombu.mixins.ConsumerMixin):
 def continue_running():
     return True
 
+def exit_or_sleep(exit=False):
+    if exit_on_exception:
+        sys.exit(1q)
+    else:
+        time.sleep(5)
 
 def run(deployment_config):
     name = deployment_config['name']
@@ -170,11 +175,11 @@ def run(deployment_config):
                     LOG.error("!!!!Exception!!!!")
                     LOG.exception("name=%s, exception=%s. Reconnecting in 5s" %
                                     (name, e))
-                    time.sleep(5)
+                    exit_or_sleep(deployment_config['exit_on_exception'])
             LOG.debug("Completed processing on '%s'" % name)
         except:
             LOG.error("!!!!Exception!!!!")
             e = sys.exc_info()[0]
             msg = "Uncaught exception: deployment=%s, exception=%s. Retrying in 5s"
             LOG.exception(msg % (name, e))
-            time.sleep(5)
+            exit_or_sleep(deployment_config['exit_on_exception'])