diff --git a/fs/rc/jobs/job.go b/fs/rc/jobs/job.go
index b2c18da5b..186127d0f 100644
--- a/fs/rc/jobs/job.go
+++ b/fs/rc/jobs/job.go
@@ -10,12 +10,10 @@ import (
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/rc"
-
-	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/accounting"
-
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/accounting"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/rc"
 )
 
 // Job describes a asynchronous task started via the rc package
@@ -59,6 +57,13 @@ func SetOpt(opt *rc.Options) {
 	running.opt = opt
 }
 
+// SetInitialJobID allows for setting jobID before starting any jobs.
+func SetInitialJobID(id int64) {
+	if !atomic.CompareAndSwapInt64(&jobID, 0, id) {
+		panic("Setting jobID is only possible before starting any jobs")
+	}
+}
+
 // kickExpire makes sure Expire is running
 func (jobs *Jobs) kickExpire() {
 	jobs.mu.Lock()