diff --git a/jhub_apps/__about__.py b/jhub_apps/__about__.py
index b414021a..a1839622 100644
--- a/jhub_apps/__about__.py
+++ b/jhub_apps/__about__.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = "2024.4.1rc7"
+__version__ = "2024.4.1rc8"
diff --git a/jhub_apps/service/models.py b/jhub_apps/service/models.py
index 2a91a3c7..cd4efdf5 100644
--- a/jhub_apps/service/models.py
+++ b/jhub_apps/service/models.py
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ class UserOptions(BaseModel):
     profile: typing.Optional[str] = str()
     # Make app available to public (unauthenticated Hub users)
     public: typing.Optional[bool] = False
+    # Keep app alive, even when there is no activity
+    # So that it's not killed by idle culler
+    keep_alive: typing.Optional[bool] = False
 
 
 class ServerCreation(BaseModel):
diff --git a/jhub_apps/spawner/command.py b/jhub_apps/spawner/command.py
index 283a5bc6..bd7a2700 100644
--- a/jhub_apps/spawner/command.py
+++ b/jhub_apps/spawner/command.py
@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@ def get_substituted_args(self, **kwargs):
         "-m",
         "jhsingle_native_proxy.main",
         TString("--authtype=$authtype"),
-        "--no-force-alive",
     ]
 )
 
diff --git a/jhub_apps/spawner/spawner_creation.py b/jhub_apps/spawner/spawner_creation.py
index 0c01ec73..eff9b686 100644
--- a/jhub_apps/spawner/spawner_creation.py
+++ b/jhub_apps/spawner/spawner_creation.py
@@ -102,6 +102,17 @@ async def start(self):
                     python_exec=self.config.JAppsConfig.python_exec,
                     authtype=auth_type,
                 )
+                # Only for non-JupyterLab apps
+                if self.user_options.get("keep_alive"):
+                    logger.info(
+                        "Flag set to force keep alive, will not be deleted by idle culler",
+                        app=self.user_options.get("display_name"),
+                        framework=self.user_options.get("framework")
+                    )
+                    self.cmd.append("--force-alive")
+                else:
+                    self.cmd.append("--no-force-alive")
+
             if framework == Framework.jupyterlab.value:
                 self.cmd = [
                     self.config.JAppsConfig.python_exec,