diff --git a/doc/release_notes.rst b/doc/release_notes.rst
index 1fb66c4475..688c35724d 100644
--- a/doc/release_notes.rst
+++ b/doc/release_notes.rst
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ joint_trajectory_controller
      * -1 - The tolerance is "erased".  If there was a default, the joint will be
             allowed to move without restriction.
 
+* Add the boolean parameter ``set_last_command_interface_value_as_state_on_activation``. When set to ``true``, the last command interface value is used as both the current state and the last commanded state upon activation. When set to ``false``, the current state is used for both (`#1231 <https://github.com/ros-controls/ros2_controllers/pull/1231>`_).
+
 pid_controller
 ************************
 * 🚀 The PID controller was added 🎉 (`#434 <https://github.com/ros-controls/ros2_controllers/pull/434>`_).
diff --git a/joint_trajectory_controller/src/joint_trajectory_controller.cpp b/joint_trajectory_controller/src/joint_trajectory_controller.cpp
index e4923604fd..bea37e02be 100644
--- a/joint_trajectory_controller/src/joint_trajectory_controller.cpp
+++ b/joint_trajectory_controller/src/joint_trajectory_controller.cpp
@@ -924,7 +924,9 @@ controller_interface::CallbackReturn JointTrajectoryController::on_activate(
   // running already)
   trajectory_msgs::msg::JointTrajectoryPoint state;
   resize_joint_trajectory_point(state, dof_);
-  if (read_state_from_command_interfaces(state))
+  if (
+    params_.set_last_command_interface_value_as_state_on_activation &&
+    read_state_from_command_interfaces(state))
   {
     state_current_ = state;
     last_commanded_state_ = state;
diff --git a/joint_trajectory_controller/src/joint_trajectory_controller_parameters.yaml b/joint_trajectory_controller/src/joint_trajectory_controller_parameters.yaml
index 8bd64b6314..14b71f0711 100644
--- a/joint_trajectory_controller/src/joint_trajectory_controller_parameters.yaml
+++ b/joint_trajectory_controller/src/joint_trajectory_controller_parameters.yaml
@@ -64,6 +64,11 @@ joint_trajectory_controller:
     default_value: false,
     description: "Allow integration in goal trajectories to accept goals without position or velocity specified",
   }
+  set_last_command_interface_value_as_state_on_activation: {
+    type: bool,
+    default_value: true,
+    description: "When set to true, the last command interface value is used as both the current state and the last commanded state upon activation. When set to false, the current state is used for both.",
+  }
   action_monitor_rate: {
     type: double,
     default_value: 20.0,