diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index 6d93705..08a4a55 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
      example cgi (examples/vnstat.cgi)
  - New
    - Add database data merge support as --merge (work in progress)
+   - Add --db for specifying database file for queries (vnstat and vnstati)
    - Add exit status 2 options to --alert for making it possible to
      differentiate alerts from errors (exit status 1)
    - Add --dbiflist also to vnstati command
diff --git a/man/vnstat.1 b/man/vnstat.1
index 421d450..9f1aad4 100644
--- a/man/vnstat.1
+++ b/man/vnstat.1
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 '\" t
-.TH VNSTAT 1 "AUGUST 2024" "version 2.13" "User Manuals"
+.TH VNSTAT 1 "JANUARY 2025" "version 2.13" "User Manuals"
 .SH NAME
 vnstat \- a console-based network traffic monitor
 
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ vnstat \- a console-based network traffic monitor
 .IR file ]
 .RB [ \-\-days
 .RI [ limit ]]
+.RB [ \-\-db
+.IR file ]
 .RB [ \-\-dbdir
 .IR directory ]
 .RB [ \-\-dbiflist
@@ -236,12 +238,24 @@ parameter is used. All entries stored in the database will be shown if
 .I limit
 is set to 0.
 
+.TP
+.BI "--db " file
+Use
+.I file
+as database file instead of searching for a database from the directory specified in
+the configuration file or the hardcoded default if no configuration file is available.
+This option overrides
+.BR "--dbdir" .
+
 .TP
 .BI "--dbdir " directory
 Use
 .I directory
 as database directory instead of using the directory specified in the configuration
-file or the hardcoded default if no configuration file is available.
+file or the hardcoded default if no configuration file is available. This option is
+ignored if
+.B "--db"
+is also defined.
 
 .TP
 .BI "--dbiflist " [mode]
diff --git a/man/vnstati.1 b/man/vnstati.1
index 17d8ffa..35ef39a 100644
--- a/man/vnstati.1
+++ b/man/vnstati.1
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.TH VNSTATI 1 "APRIL 2024" "version 2.13" "User Manuals"
+.TH VNSTATI 1 "JANUARY 2025" "version 2.13" "User Manuals"
 .SH NAME
 vnstati \- image output support for vnStat
 
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ vnstati \- image output support for vnStat
 .IR file ]
 .RB [ \-\-days
 .RI [ limit ]]
+.RB [ \-\-db
+.IR file ]
 .RB [ \-\-dbdir
 .IR directory ]
 .RB [ \-\-dbiflist
@@ -166,12 +168,24 @@ parameter is used. All entries stored in the database will be shown if
 .I limit
 is set to 0.
 
+.TP
+.BI "--db " file
+Use
+.I file
+as database file instead of searching for a database from the directory specified in
+the configuration file or the hardcoded default if no configuration file is available.
+This option overrides
+.BR "--dbdir" .
+
 .TP
 .BI "--dbdir " directory
 Use
 .I directory
 as database directory instead of using the directory specified in the configuration
-file or the hardcoded default if no configuration file is available.
+file or the hardcoded default if no configuration file is available. This option is
+ignored if
+.B "--db"
+is also defined.
 
 .TP
 .BI "--dbiflist " [mode]
diff --git a/src/cfg.c b/src/cfg.c
index 52ab90b..038a0fa 100644
--- a/src/cfg.c
+++ b/src/cfg.c
@@ -378,6 +378,7 @@ void defaultcfg(void)
 	cfg.yearlyyears = YEARLYYEARS;
 	cfg.topdayentries = TOPDAYENTRIES;
 
+	cfg.dbfile[0] = '\0';
 	strncpy_nt(cfg.dbdir, DATABASEDIR, 512);
 	strncpy_nt(cfg.dbtzmodifier, DATABASELOCALTIMEMODIFIER, 14);
 	strncpy_nt(cfg.iface, DEFIFACE, MAXIFPARAMLEN);
diff --git a/src/clicommon.c b/src/clicommon.c
index c1dd1f7..81312e8 100644
--- a/src/clicommon.c
+++ b/src/clicommon.c
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ void showdbiflist(const int mode)
 	iflist *dbifl = NULL, *dbifl_i = NULL;
 
 	if (db == NULL && !db_open_ro()) {
-		printf("Error: Failed to open database \"%s/%s\" in read-only mode.\n", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE);
+		printf("Error: Failed to open database \"%s\" in read-only mode: %s\n", cfg.dbfile, strerror(errno));
 		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 	}
 
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ void showdbiflist(const int mode)
 
 	dbifcount = db_getiflist(&dbifl);
 	if (dbifcount < 0) {
-		printf("Error: Failed to get interface list from database \"%s/%s\".\n", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE);
+		printf("Error: Failed to get interface list from database \"%s\".\n", cfg.dbfile);
 		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/common.h b/src/common.h
index c528a5d..6d8f3be 100644
--- a/src/common.h
+++ b/src/common.h
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ typedef struct {
 	char dformat[64], mformat[64], tformat[64], hformat[64];
 	char iface[MAXIFPARAMLEN];
 	char locale[32];
-	char dbdir[512], dbtzmodifier[14];
+	char dbfile[530], dbdir[512], dbtzmodifier[14];
 	char rxchar[2], txchar[2], rxhourchar[2], txhourchar[2], estimatetext[10];
 	char cbg[8], cedge[8], cheader[8], cheadertitle[8], cheaderdate[8], ctext[8];
 	char cline[8], clinel[8], cpercentileline[8], cvnstat[8], crx[8], crxd[8], ctx[8], ctxd[8], ctotal[8];
diff --git a/src/dbsql.c b/src/dbsql.c
index ef25cb8..fa2871b 100644
--- a/src/dbsql.c
+++ b/src/dbsql.c
@@ -22,12 +22,17 @@ int db_open(const int createifnotfound, const int readonly)
 {
 	char dbfilename[530];
 
+	if (strlen(cfg.dbfile) > 0) {
+		strncpy_nt(dbfilename, cfg.dbfile, 530);
+	} else {
 #ifdef CHECK_VNSTAT
-	/* use ram based database when testing for shorter test execution times by reducing disk i/o */
-	snprintf(dbfilename, 530, ":memory:");
+		/* use ram based database when testing for shorter test execution times by reducing disk i/o */
+		snprintf(dbfilename, 530, ":memory:");
 #else
-	snprintf(dbfilename, 530, "%s/%s", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE);
+		snprintf(dbfilename, 530, "%s/%s", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE);
+		strncpy_nt(cfg.dbfile, dbfilename, 530);
 #endif
+	}
 
 	return db_open_filename(dbfilename, createifnotfound, readonly);
 }
diff --git a/src/vnstat.c b/src/vnstat.c
index 4ff324c..2c9ea49 100644
--- a/src/vnstat.c
+++ b/src/vnstat.c
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ vnStat - Copyright (C) 2002-2025 Teemu Toivola <tst@iki.fi>
 
 int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-	int currentarg;
+	int currentarg, dbfiledefined = 0;
 	DIR *dir = NULL;
 	PARAMS p;
 
@@ -82,13 +82,18 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	/* open database and see if it contains any interfaces */
 	if (!p.traffic && !p.livetraffic) {
-		if ((dir = opendir(cfg.dbdir)) != NULL) {
-			if (debug)
-				printf("Dir OK\n");
-			closedir(dir);
+		if (strlen(cfg.dbfile) > 0) {
+			dbfiledefined = 1;
+		}
+		if (dbfiledefined || (dir = opendir(cfg.dbdir)) != NULL) {
+			if (dir != NULL) {
+				if (debug)
+					printf("Dir OK\n");
+				closedir(dir);
+			}
 			if (!db_open_ro()) {
-				printf("Error: Failed to open database \"%s/%s\" in read-only mode.\n", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE);
-				if (errno == ENOENT) {
+				printf("Error: Failed to open database \"%s\" in read-only mode: %s\n", cfg.dbfile, strerror(errno));
+				if (!dbfiledefined && errno == ENOENT) {
 					printf("The vnStat daemon should have created the database when started.\n");
 					printf("Check that it is configured and running. See also \"man vnstatd\".\n");
 				}
diff --git a/src/vnstat_func.c b/src/vnstat_func.c
index ef9d99d..0b0ba4b 100644
--- a/src/vnstat_func.c
+++ b/src/vnstat_func.c
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ void initparams(PARAMS *p)
 	p->interface[0] = '\0';
 	p->alias[0] = '\0';
 	p->newifname[0] = '\0';
-	p->filename[0] = '\0';
 	p->definterface[0] = '\0';
 	p->cfgfile[0] = '\0';
 	p->jsonmode = 'a';
@@ -143,8 +142,9 @@ void showlonghelp(const PARAMS *p)
 	printf("      --limit <limit>              set output entry limit\n");
 	printf("      --style <mode>               select output style (0-4)\n");
 	printf("      --iflist [mode]              show list of available interfaces\n");
+	printf("      --db <file>                  select database file\n");
 	printf("      --dbiflist [mode]            show list of interfaces in database\n");
-	printf("      --dbdir <directory>          select database directory\n"); // TODO: --db / --dbfile
+	printf("      --dbdir <directory>          select database directory\n");
 	printf("      --locale <locale>            set locale\n");
 	printf("      --config <config file>       select config file\n");
 	printf("      --showconfig                 dump config file with current settings\n");
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ void parseargs(PARAMS *p, const int argc, char **argv)
 				printf("Error: Alias for %s missing.\n", argv[currentarg]);
 				exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 			}
-		} else if ((strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--style")) == 0) {
+		} else if (strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--style") == 0) {
 			if (currentarg + 1 < argc && isdigit(argv[currentarg + 1][0])) {
 				cfg.ostyle = atoi(argv[currentarg + 1]);
 				if (cfg.ostyle > 4 || cfg.ostyle < 0) {
@@ -226,7 +226,17 @@ void parseargs(PARAMS *p, const int argc, char **argv)
 				showstylehelp();
 				exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 			}
-		} else if ((strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--dbdir")) == 0) {
+		} else if ((strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--db") == 0) || (strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--dbfile") == 0)) {
+			if (currentarg + 1 < argc) {
+				strncpy_nt(cfg.dbfile, argv[currentarg + 1], 530);
+				if (debug)
+					printf("DatabaseFile: \"%s\"\n", cfg.dbfile);
+				currentarg++;
+			} else {
+				printf("Error: File for %s missing.\n", argv[currentarg]);
+				exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+			}
+		} else if (strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--dbdir") == 0) {
 			if (currentarg + 1 < argc) {
 				strncpy_nt(cfg.dbdir, argv[currentarg + 1], 512);
 				if (debug)
@@ -236,7 +246,7 @@ void parseargs(PARAMS *p, const int argc, char **argv)
 				printf("Error: Directory for %s missing.\n", argv[currentarg]);
 				exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 			}
-		} else if ((strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--locale")) == 0) {
+		} else if (strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--locale") == 0) {
 			if (currentarg + 1 < argc) {
 				setlocale(LC_ALL, argv[currentarg + 1]);
 				if (debug)
@@ -1042,7 +1052,7 @@ void handleremoveinterface(const PARAMS *p)
 
 #ifndef CHECK_VNSTAT
 	if (!db_close() || !db_open_rw(0)) {
-		printf("Error: Handling database \"%s/%s\" failing: %s\n", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE, strerror(errno));
+		printf("Error: Handling database \"%s\" failing: %s\n", cfg.dbfile, strerror(errno));
 		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 	}
 #endif
@@ -1094,7 +1104,7 @@ void handlerenameinterface(const PARAMS *p)
 
 #ifndef CHECK_VNSTAT
 	if (!db_close() || !db_open_rw(0)) {
-		printf("Error: Handling database \"%s/%s\" failing: %s\n", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE, strerror(errno));
+		printf("Error: Handling database \"%s\" failing: %s\n", cfg.dbfile, strerror(errno));
 		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 	}
 #endif
@@ -1146,7 +1156,7 @@ void handleaddinterface(PARAMS *p)
 
 #ifndef CHECK_VNSTAT
 	if (!db_close() || !db_open_rw(0)) {
-		printf("Error: Handling database \"%s/%s\" failing: %s\n", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE, strerror(errno));
+		printf("Error: Handling database \"%s\" failing: %s\n", cfg.dbfile, strerror(errno));
 		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 	}
 #endif
@@ -1187,7 +1197,7 @@ void handlesetalias(const PARAMS *p)
 
 #ifndef CHECK_VNSTAT
 	if (!db_close() || !db_open_rw(0)) {
-		printf("Error: Handling database \"%s/%s\" failing: %s\n", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE, strerror(errno));
+		printf("Error: Handling database \"%s\" failing: %s\n", cfg.dbfile, strerror(errno));
 		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 	}
 #endif
diff --git a/src/vnstat_func.h b/src/vnstat_func.h
index 54a0734..5694103 100644
--- a/src/vnstat_func.h
+++ b/src/vnstat_func.h
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ typedef struct {
 	int livetraffic, defaultiface, removeiface, renameiface, livemode;
 	int32_t limit;
 	uint64_t dbifcount;
-	char interface[MAXIFPARAMLEN], alias[32], newifname[MAXIFLEN], filename[512];
+	char interface[MAXIFPARAMLEN], alias[32], newifname[MAXIFLEN];
 	char definterface[MAXIFPARAMLEN], cfgfile[512], *ifacelist, jsonmode, xmlmode;
 	char databegin[18], dataend[18];
 	unsigned int alert, alertoutput, alertexit, alerttype, alertcondition;
diff --git a/src/vnstati.c b/src/vnstati.c
index 7286f36..af4cec2 100644
--- a/src/vnstati.c
+++ b/src/vnstati.c
@@ -159,6 +159,8 @@ void showihelp(const IPARAMS *p)
 	printf("      -D,  --debug                       show some additional debug information\n");
 	printf("      -v,  --version                     show version\n");
 	printf("      --limit <limit>                    set list entry limit\n");
+	printf("      --db <file>                        select database file\n");
+	printf("      --dbiflist [mode]                  show list of interfaces in database\n");
 	printf("      --dbdir <directory>                select database directory\n");
 	printf("      --style <mode>                     select output style (0-3)\n");
 	printf("      --locale <locale>                  set locale\n");
@@ -272,7 +274,17 @@ void parseargs(IPARAMS *p, IMAGECONTENT *ic, int argc, char **argv)
 				if (debug)
 					printf("Transparency changed: %d\n", cfg.transbg);
 			}
-		} else if ((strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--dbdir")) == 0) {
+		} else if ((strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--db") == 0) || (strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--dbfile") == 0)) {
+			if (currentarg + 1 < argc) {
+				strncpy_nt(cfg.dbfile, argv[currentarg + 1], 530);
+				if (debug)
+					printf("DatabaseFile: \"%s\"\n", cfg.dbfile);
+				currentarg++;
+			} else {
+				fprintf(stderr, "Error: File for %s missing.\n", argv[currentarg]);
+				exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+			}
+		} else if (strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--dbdir") == 0) {
 			if (currentarg + 1 < argc) {
 				strncpy_nt(cfg.dbdir, argv[currentarg + 1], 512);
 				if (debug)
@@ -282,7 +294,7 @@ void parseargs(IPARAMS *p, IMAGECONTENT *ic, int argc, char **argv)
 				fprintf(stderr, "Error: Directory for --dbdir missing.\n");
 				exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 			}
-		} else if ((strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--locale")) == 0) {
+		} else if (strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--locale") == 0) {
 			if (currentarg + 1 < argc) {
 				setlocale(LC_ALL, argv[currentarg + 1]);
 				if (debug)
@@ -295,7 +307,7 @@ void parseargs(IPARAMS *p, IMAGECONTENT *ic, int argc, char **argv)
 		} else if (strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--config") == 0) {
 			/* config has already been parsed earlier so nothing to do here */
 			currentarg++;
-		} else if ((strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--headertext")) == 0) {
+		} else if (strcmp(argv[currentarg], "--headertext") == 0) {
 			if (currentarg + 1 < argc) {
 				strncpy_nt(ic->headertext, argv[currentarg + 1], 65);
 				if (debug)
@@ -650,7 +662,7 @@ void handledatabase(IPARAMS *p, IMAGECONTENT *ic)
 	iflist *dbifl = NULL;
 
 	if (!db_open_ro()) {
-		fprintf(stderr, "Error: Failed to open database \"%s/%s\" in read-only mode.\n", cfg.dbdir, DATABASEFILE);
+		fprintf(stderr, "Error: Failed to open database \"%s\" in read-only mode: %s\n", cfg.dbfile, strerror(errno));
 		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 	}
 	if (strlen(p->interface)) {