diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4a3beec..4dbd62a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ This only shows channels you have previously contributed to, i.e. where you have
 Put this line in your shell startup file and you will be notified on each login if there are new messages.<br>
 `gab -n`
 
+**-N, --new-verbose, new-verbose**<br>
+This is the same as -n, but also produces output even when no new messages exist.<br>
+`gab -N`
+
 **-l, --list, list**<br>
 View the chat log. Pass an integer for the number of recent posts you would like to view (defaults to 5)<br>
 `gab -l 20`
diff --git a/gab b/gab
index 077d9e5..9719cd2 100755
--- a/gab
+++ b/gab
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ flag                     value
 -c, --channel, channel   Name of the channel you would like to join or create. 
                            An empty value lists the available channels. 
 -n, --new, new           Check for new, unread messages.
+-N, --new-verbose, new-verbose Check for new, unread messages, creating output
+                         even when no new messages exist.
 
 Channels names ending in ! are private. They can be joined by anyone that 
 knows they exist, but will not be listed in the channel listings. To return
@@ -278,7 +280,7 @@ def new_scan(silent=True):
     if len(unread_chans):
         print("New gab messages in: " + ", ".join(unread_chans))
     elif silent == False:
-        print("gab has no unread messages.")
+        print("gab: no unread messages.")
 
 
 def parse_command():
@@ -294,6 +296,8 @@ def parse_command():
             print("Invalid command input to 'list'")
     elif args[0] in ["new", "--new", "-n"]:
         new_scan() 
+    elif args[0] in ["new-verbose", "--new-verbose", "-N"]:
+        new_scan(silent=False)
     elif args[0] in ["-m", "--msg", "msg"]:
         if len(args) < 2:
             # code from https://stackoverflow.com/a/6309753