diff --git a/scripts/main.py b/scripts/main.py
index d7b94085c6..0a4e97a256 100644
--- a/scripts/main.py
+++ b/scripts/main.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import json
 import random
 import commands as cmd
 import utils
-from memory import get_memory
+from memory import get_memory, get_supported_memory_backends
 import data
 import chat
 from colorama import Fore, Style
@@ -275,6 +275,7 @@ def parse_arguments():
     parser.add_argument('--debug', action='store_true', help='Enable Debug Mode')
     parser.add_argument('--gpt3only', action='store_true', help='Enable GPT3.5 Only Mode')
     parser.add_argument('--gpt4only', action='store_true', help='Enable GPT4 Only Mode')
+    parser.add_argument('--use-memory', '-m', dest="memory_type", help='Defines which Memory backend to use')
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
     if args.debug:
@@ -305,6 +306,15 @@ def parse_arguments():
         logger.typewriter_log("Debug Mode: ", Fore.GREEN, "ENABLED")
         cfg.set_debug_mode(True)
 
+    if args.memory_type:
+        supported_memory = get_supported_memory_backends()
+        chosen = args.memory_type
+        if not chosen in supported_memory:
+            print_to_console("ONLY THE FOLLOWING MEMORY BACKENDS ARE SUPPORTED: ", Fore.RED, f'{supported_memory}')
+            print_to_console(f"Defaulting to: ", Fore.YELLOW, cfg.memory_backend)
+        else:
+            cfg.memory_backend = chosen
+
 
 # TODO: fill in llm values here
 check_openai_api_key()
diff --git a/scripts/memory/__init__.py b/scripts/memory/__init__.py
index a441a46aa9..2900353ed9 100644
--- a/scripts/memory/__init__.py
+++ b/scripts/memory/__init__.py
@@ -1,17 +1,23 @@
 from memory.local import LocalCache
+
+# List of supported memory backends
+# Add a backend to this list if the import attempt is successful
+supported_memory = ['local']
+
 try:
     from memory.redismem import RedisMemory
+    supported_memory.append('redis')
 except ImportError:
     print("Redis not installed. Skipping import.")
     RedisMemory = None
 
 try:
     from memory.pinecone import PineconeMemory
+    supported_memory.append('pinecone')
 except ImportError:
     print("Pinecone not installed. Skipping import.")
     PineconeMemory = None
 
-
 def get_memory(cfg, init=False):
     memory = None
     if cfg.memory_backend == "pinecone":
@@ -35,6 +41,8 @@ def get_memory(cfg, init=False):
             memory.clear()
     return memory
 
+def get_supported_memory_backends():
+    return supported_memory
 
 __all__ = [
     "get_memory",