diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7a1ddc0..b41dd9f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -96,6 +96,14 @@ Avoids making backup of /boot and /lib/modules on first run.
 By default the downloaded files (/root/.rpi-firmware) are deleted at end of update.
 Use this option to keep the files.
 
+#### `SKIP_VCLIBS`
+
+    sudo SKIP_VCLIBS=1 rpi-update
+
+Will update everything **except** the VideoCore libraries.
+Use this option to keep the existing VideoCore libraries if you do not want your
+local versions overwritten.
+
 #### `ROOT_PATH` and `BOOT_PATH`
 
     sudo ROOT_PATH=/media/root BOOT_PATH=/media/boot rpi-update
diff --git a/rpi-update b/rpi-update
index 08f7268..83812e6 100755
--- a/rpi-update
+++ b/rpi-update
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ BOOT_PATH=${BOOT_PATH:-"/boot"}
 WORK_PATH=${WORK_PATH:-"${ROOT_PATH}/root"}
 SKIP_KERNEL=${SKIP_KERNEL:-0}
 SKIP_SDK=${SKIP_SDK:-0}
+SKIP_VCLIBS=${SKIP_VCLIBS:-0}
 SKIP_REPODELETE=${SKIP_REPODELETE:-0}
 SKIP_BACKUP=${SKIP_BACKUP:-0}
 SKIP_DOWNLOAD=${SKIP_DOWNLOAD:-0}
@@ -151,7 +152,12 @@ function update_modules {
 }
 
 function update_vc_libs {
-	echo " *** Updating VideoCore libraries"
+	if [[ ${SKIP_VCLIBS} -eq 0 ]]; then
+		echo " *** Updating VideoCore libraries"
+	else
+		echo " *** As requested, not updating VideoCore libraries"
+		return
+	fi
 
 	if [[ -e ${ROOT_PATH}/bin/sh ]]; then
 		local ELFOUTPUT=$(readelf -a "${ROOT_PATH}/bin/sh"; readelf -h "${ROOT_PATH}/bin/sh")