diff --git a/pillar.example b/pillar.example
index aadce728d..d704f14e8 100644
--- a/pillar.example
+++ b/pillar.example
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 salt:
+  clean_d_dir: False
 
   # to overwrite map.jinja salt packages
   lookup:
@@ -27,18 +28,18 @@ salt:
       ssl_key: /etc/pki/api/certs/server.key
       debug: False
       disable_ssl: False
- 
+
   # salt minion config:
   minion:
 
     # single master setup
     master: salt
-    
+
     # multi master setup
     master:
       - salt_master_1
       - salt_master_2
-    
+
     fileserver_backend:
       - git
       - roots
diff --git a/salt/defaults.yaml b/salt/defaults.yaml
index 5b9b92f48..23144c3d1 100644
--- a/salt/defaults.yaml
+++ b/salt/defaults.yaml
@@ -10,3 +10,4 @@ salt:
   salt_cloud: salt-cloud
   salt_api: salt-api
   salt_ssh: salt-ssh
+  clean_d_dir: False
diff --git a/salt/master.sls b/salt/master.sls
index 49b6ef02c..ac500e8b4 100644
--- a/salt/master.sls
+++ b/salt/master.sls
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ salt-master:
     - name: {{ salt_settings.config_path }}/master.d
     - template: jinja
     - source: salt://salt/files/master.d
+{% if salt_settings.clean_d_dir %}
     - clean: True
+{% endif %}
   service.running:
     - enable: True
     - name: {{ salt_settings.master_service }}
diff --git a/salt/minion.sls b/salt/minion.sls
index bf0860a83..4efb8c884 100644
--- a/salt/minion.sls
+++ b/salt/minion.sls
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ salt-minion:
     - name: {{ salt_settings.config_path }}/minion.d
     - template: jinja
     - source: salt://salt/files/minion.d
+{% if salt_settings.clean_d_dir %}
     - clean: True
+{% endif %}
     - context:
         standalone: False
   service.running:
diff --git a/salt/standalone.sls b/salt/standalone.sls
index d7bf2d841..ac2ccc68b 100644
--- a/salt/standalone.sls
+++ b/salt/standalone.sls
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ salt-minion:
     - name: {{ salt_settings.config_path }}/minion.d
     - template: jinja
     - source: salt://salt/files/minion.d
+{% if salt_settings.clean_d_dir %}
     - clean: True
+{% endif %}
     - context:
         standalone: True
   service.dead: