diff --git a/btcd.go b/btcd.go
index 1d1784d5..aec55e06 100644
--- a/btcd.go
+++ b/btcd.go
@@ -328,11 +328,14 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 func main() {
-	// Block and transaction processing can cause bursty allocations.  This
-	// limits the garbage collector from excessively overallocating during
-	// bursts.  This value was arrived at with the help of profiling live
-	// usage.
-	debug.SetGCPercent(10)
+	// If GOGC is not explicitly set, override GC percent.
+	if os.Getenv("GOGC") == "" {
+		// Block and transaction processing can cause bursty allocations.  This
+		// limits the garbage collector from excessively overallocating during
+		// bursts.  This value was arrived at with the help of profiling live
+		// usage.
+		debug.SetGCPercent(10)
+	}
 
 	// Up some limits.
 	if err := limits.SetLimits(); err != nil {