diff --git a/joinmarket/blockchaininterface.py b/joinmarket/blockchaininterface.py
index 1b175533..d8dc732a 100644
--- a/joinmarket/blockchaininterface.py
+++ b/joinmarket/blockchaininterface.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 import BaseHTTPServer
 import abc
+import ast
 import json
 import os
 import pprint
@@ -613,7 +614,13 @@ def sync_unspent(self, wallet):
         st = time.time()
         wallet_name = self.get_wallet_name(wallet)
         wallet.unspent = {}
-        unspent_list = self.rpc('listunspent', [])
+
+        listunspent_args = []
+        if 'listunspent_args' in jm_single().config.options('POLICY'):
+            listunspent_args = ast.literal_eval(
+                jm_single().config.get('POLICY', 'listunspent_args'))
+
+        unspent_list = self.rpc('listunspent', listunspent_args)
         for u in unspent_list:
             if 'account' not in u:
                 continue
@@ -621,11 +628,9 @@ def sync_unspent(self, wallet):
                 continue
             if u['address'] not in wallet.addr_cache:
                 continue
-            wallet.unspent[u['txid'] + ':' + str(u[
-                                                     'vout'])] = {
+            wallet.unspent[u['txid'] + ':' + str(u['vout'])] = {
                 'address': u['address'],
-                'value':
-                    int(Decimal(str(u['amount'])) * Decimal('1e8'))}
+                'value': int(Decimal(str(u['amount'])) * Decimal('1e8'))}
         et = time.time()
         log.debug('bitcoind sync_unspent took ' + str((et - st)) + 'sec')
 
diff --git a/joinmarket/configure.py b/joinmarket/configure.py
index 6a15088d..d88f8455 100644
--- a/joinmarket/configure.py
+++ b/joinmarket/configure.py
@@ -135,6 +135,19 @@ def jm_single():
 # as our default. Note that for clients not using a local blockchain
 # instance, we retrieve an estimate from the API at blockcypher.com, currently.
 tx_fees = 3
+# the range of confirmations passed to the `listunspent` bitcoind RPC call
+# 1st value is the inclusive minimum, defaults to one confirmation
+# 2nd value is the exclusive maximum, defaults to most-positive-bignum (Google Me!)
+# leaving it unset or empty defers to bitcoind's default values, ie [1, 9999999]
+#listunspent_args = []
+# that's what you should do, unless you have a specific reason, eg:
+#  spend from unconfirmed transactions:  listunspent_args = [0]
+# display only unconfirmed transactions: listunspent_args = [0, 1]
+# defend against small reorganizations:  listunspent_args = [3]
+#   who is at risk of reorganization?:   listunspent_args = [0, 2]
+# NB: using 0 for the 1st value with scripts other than wallet-tool could cause
+# spends from unconfirmed inputs, which may then get malleated or double-spent!
+# other counterparties are likely to reject unconfirmed inputs... don't do it.
 """
 
 
diff --git a/wallet-tool.py b/wallet-tool.py
index 6947dc34..980e913c 100644
--- a/wallet-tool.py
+++ b/wallet-tool.py
@@ -99,6 +99,10 @@
                     extend_mixdepth=not maxmixdepth_configured,
                     storepassword=(method == 'importprivkey'))
     if method not in noscan_methods:
+        # if nothing was configured, we override bitcoind's options so that
+        # unconfirmed balance is included in the wallet display by default
+        if 'listunspent_args' not in jm_single().config.options('POLICY'):
+            jm_single().config.set('POLICY','listunspent_args', '[0]')
         jm_single().bc_interface.sync_wallet(wallet)
 
 if method == 'display' or method == 'displayall' or method == 'summary':