diff --git a/Readme.md b/Readme.md
index afe042d5e..aa4f42b59 100644
--- a/Readme.md
+++ b/Readme.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Read this in other languages: English | [简体中文](./Readme_zh-CN.md)
 
 - [Commander.js](#commanderjs)
   - [Installation](#installation)
-  - [Declaring _program_ variable](#declaring-program-variable)
+  - [Declaring program variable](#declaring-program-variable)
   - [Options](#options)
     - [Common option types, boolean and value](#common-option-types-boolean-and-value)
     - [Default option value](#default-option-value)
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Read this in other languages: English | [简体中文](./Readme_zh-CN.md)
   - [Bits and pieces](#bits-and-pieces)
     - [Avoiding option name clashes](#avoiding-option-name-clashes)
     - [TypeScript](#typescript)
-    - [Node options such as `--harmony`](#node-options-such-as---harmony)
+    - [Node options such as --harmony](#node-options-such-as---harmony)
     - [Node debugging](#node-debugging)
     - [Override exit handling](#override-exit-handling)
   - [Examples](#examples)
@@ -377,6 +377,19 @@ program
 program.parse(process.argv)
 ```
 
+You may supply an `async` action handler, in which case you call `.parseAsync` rather than `.parse`.
+
+```js
+async function run() { /* code goes here */ }
+
+async function main() {
+  program
+    .command('run')
+    .action(run);
+  await program.parseAsync(process.argv);
+}
+```
+
 A command's options on the command line are validated when the command is used. Any unknown options will be reported as an error. However, if an action-based command does not define an action, then the options are not validated.
 
 Configuration options can be passed with the call to `.command()`. Specifying `true` for `opts.noHelp` will remove the command from the generated help output.
diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index b7e35778a..37d20cc5e 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ function Command(name) {
   this._optionValues = {};
   this._storeOptionsAsProperties = true; // backwards compatible by default
   this._passCommandToAction = true; // backwards compatible by default
+  this._actionResults = [];
 
   this._helpFlags = '-h, --help';
   this._helpDescription = 'output usage information';
@@ -366,7 +367,13 @@ Command.prototype.action = function(fn) {
       actionArgs.push(args.slice(expectedArgsCount));
     }
 
-    fn.apply(self, actionArgs);
+    const actionResult = fn.apply(self, actionArgs);
+    // Remember result in case it is async. Assume parseAsync getting called on root.
+    let rootCommand = self;
+    while (rootCommand.parent) {
+      rootCommand = rootCommand.parent;
+    }
+    rootCommand._actionResults.push(actionResult);
   };
   var parent = this.parent || this;
   var name = parent === this ? '*' : this._name;
@@ -604,7 +611,7 @@ Command.prototype._getOptionValue = function(key) {
 };
 
 /**
- * Parse `argv`, settings options and invoking commands when defined.
+ * Parse `argv`, setting options and invoking commands when defined.
  *
  * @param {Array} argv
  * @return {Command} for chaining
@@ -688,6 +695,20 @@ Command.prototype.parse = function(argv) {
   return result;
 };
 
+/**
+ * Parse `argv`, setting options and invoking commands when defined.
+ *
+ * Use parseAsync instead of parse if any of your action handlers are async. Returns a Promise.
+ *
+ * @param {Array} argv
+ * @return {Promise}
+ * @api public
+ */
+Command.prototype.parseAsync = function(argv) {
+  this.parse(argv);
+  return Promise.all(this._actionResults);
+};
+
 /**
  * Execute a sub-command executable.
  *
diff --git a/tests/command.action.test.js b/tests/command.action.test.js
index fa0f85c35..59469be9b 100644
--- a/tests/command.action.test.js
+++ b/tests/command.action.test.js
@@ -88,3 +88,19 @@ test('when .action on program with subcommand and program argument then program
 
   expect(actionMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith('a', program);
 });
+
+test('when action is async then can await parseAsync', async() => {
+  let asyncFinished = false;
+  async function delay() {
+    await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 100));
+    asyncFinished = true;
+  };
+  const program = new commander.Command();
+  program
+    .action(delay);
+
+  const later = program.parseAsync(['node', 'test']);
+  expect(asyncFinished).toBe(false);
+  await later;
+  expect(asyncFinished).toBe(true);
+});
diff --git a/typings/commander-tests.ts b/typings/commander-tests.ts
index 9d05be47f..7661bcf0e 100644
--- a/typings/commander-tests.ts
+++ b/typings/commander-tests.ts
@@ -133,4 +133,10 @@ program.exitOverride((err):void => {
 
 program.parse(process.argv);
 
+program.parseAsync(process.argv).then(() => {
+  console.log('parseAsync success');
+}).catch(err => {
+  console.log('parseAsync failed');
+});
+
 console.log('stuff');
diff --git a/typings/index.d.ts b/typings/index.d.ts
index 2ed0fa6c4..d1a89d8c2 100644
--- a/typings/index.d.ts
+++ b/typings/index.d.ts
@@ -197,12 +197,21 @@ declare namespace commander {
     allowUnknownOption(arg?: boolean): Command;
 
     /**
-     * Parse `argv`, settings options and invoking commands when defined.
+     * Parse `argv`, setting options and invoking commands when defined.
      *
-     * @returns {Command} for chaining
+     * @returns Command for chaining
      */
     parse(argv: string[]): Command;
 
+    /**
+     * Parse `argv`, setting options and invoking commands when defined.
+     * 
+     * Use parseAsync instead of parse if any of your action handlers are async. Returns a Promise.
+     *
+     * @returns Promise
+     */
+    parseAsync(argv: string[]): Promise<any>;
+
     /**
      * Parse options from `argv` returning `argv` void of these options.
      */