diff --git a/bitcoind.run b/bitcoind.run
index 85b6b78..87924df 100644
--- a/bitcoind.run
+++ b/bitcoind.run
@@ -5,10 +5,12 @@ export HOME="/var/lib/bitcoind"
 # gen random pw for rpc server
 RANDOMPW=$(openssl rand -hex 10)
 
+if [[ ! -e $HOME/bitcoin.conf ]]; then
 cat <<EOF > $HOME/bitcoin.conf
 rpcuser=${BITCOIND_RPCUSER:-rpcuser}
 rpcpassword=${BITCOIND_RPCPASSWORD:-$RANDOMPW}
 EOF
+fi
 
 # SECURITY this puts the rpc password into the container log
 cat $HOME/bitcoin.conf