diff --git a/weed/shell/command_volume_balance.go b/weed/shell/command_volume_balance.go
index 42b4ea13c..8351415e2 100644
--- a/weed/shell/command_volume_balance.go
+++ b/weed/shell/command_volume_balance.go
@@ -76,14 +76,19 @@ func (c *commandVolumeBalance) Do(args []string, commandEnv *CommandEnv, writer
 	dc := balanceCommand.String("dataCenter", "", "only apply the balancing for this dataCenter")
 	racks := balanceCommand.String("racks", "", "only apply the balancing for this racks")
 	nodes := balanceCommand.String("nodes", "", "only apply the balancing for this nodes")
+	noLock := balanceCommand.Bool("noLock", false, "do not lock the admin shell at one's own risk")
 	applyBalancing := balanceCommand.Bool("force", false, "apply the balancing plan.")
 	if err = balanceCommand.Parse(args); err != nil {
 		return nil
 	}
 	infoAboutSimulationMode(writer, *applyBalancing, "-force")
 
-	if err = commandEnv.confirmIsLocked(args); err != nil {
-		return
+	if *noLock {
+		commandEnv.noLock = true
+	} else {
+		if err = commandEnv.confirmIsLocked(args); err != nil {
+			return
+		}
 	}
 
 	// collect topology information
diff --git a/weed/shell/commands.go b/weed/shell/commands.go
index 582ee560d..dbbd86f0e 100644
--- a/weed/shell/commands.go
+++ b/weed/shell/commands.go
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ type CommandEnv struct {
 	MasterClient *wdclient.MasterClient
 	option       *ShellOptions
 	locker       *exclusive_locks.ExclusiveLocker
+	noLock       bool
 }
 
 func NewCommandEnv(options *ShellOptions) *CommandEnv {
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ func NewCommandEnv(options *ShellOptions) *CommandEnv {
 		env:          make(map[string]string),
 		MasterClient: wdclient.NewMasterClient(options.GrpcDialOption, *options.FilerGroup, pb.AdminShellClient, "", "", "", *pb.ServerAddresses(*options.Masters).ToServiceDiscovery()),
 		option:       options,
+		noLock:       false,
 	}
 	ce.locker = exclusive_locks.NewExclusiveLocker(ce.MasterClient, "shell")
 	return ce
@@ -79,6 +81,9 @@ func (ce *CommandEnv) isLocked() bool {
 	if ce == nil {
 		return true
 	}
+	if ce.noLock {
+		return false
+	}
 	return ce.locker.IsLocked()
 }