diff --git a/notebook/notebookapp.py b/notebook/notebookapp.py
index 57833caec..f72b222af 100755
--- a/notebook/notebookapp.py
+++ b/notebook/notebookapp.py
@@ -945,6 +945,10 @@ class NotebookApp(JupyterApp):
         if os.getenv('JUPYTER_TOKEN'):
             self._token_generated = False
             return os.getenv('JUPYTER_TOKEN')
+        if os.getenv('JUPYTER_TOKEN_FILE'):
+            self._token_generated = False
+            with io.open(os.getenv('JUPYTER_TOKEN_FILE'), "r") as token_file
+                return token_file.read()
         if self.password:
             # no token if password is enabled
             self._token_generated = False