diff --git a/ale_linters/python/pylint.vim b/ale_linters/python/pylint.vim
index 5eafd8f..a6fc8ed 100644
--- a/ale_linters/python/pylint.vim
+++ b/ale_linters/python/pylint.vim
@@ -1,20 +1,21 @@
 " Author: keith <k@keith.so>
 " Description: pylint for python files
 
-let g:ale_python_pylint_executable =
-\   get(g:, 'ale_python_pylint_executable', 'pylint')
-
-let g:ale_python_pylint_options =
-\   get(g:, 'ale_python_pylint_options', '')
-
-let g:ale_python_pylint_use_global = get(g:, 'ale_python_pylint_use_global', get(g:, 'ale_use_global_executables', 0))
+call ale#Set('python_pylint_executable', 'pylint')
+call ale#Set('python_pylint_options', '')
+call ale#Set('python_pylint_use_global', get(g:, 'ale_use_global_executables', 0))
+call ale#Set('python_pylint_change_directory', 1)
 
 function! ale_linters#python#pylint#GetExecutable(buffer) abort
     return ale#python#FindExecutable(a:buffer, 'python_pylint', ['pylint'])
 endfunction
 
 function! ale_linters#python#pylint#GetCommand(buffer) abort
-    return ale#path#BufferCdString(a:buffer)
+    let l:cd_string = ale#Var(a:buffer, 'python_pylint_change_directory')
+    \   ? ale#path#BufferCdString(a:buffer)
+    \   : ''
+
+    return l:cd_string
     \   . ale#Escape(ale_linters#python#pylint#GetExecutable(a:buffer))
     \   . ' ' . ale#Var(a:buffer, 'python_pylint_options')
     \   . ' --output-format text --msg-template="{path}:{line}:{column}: {msg_id} ({symbol}) {msg}" --reports n'
diff --git a/doc/ale-python.txt b/doc/ale-python.txt
index 396603e..e161426 100644
--- a/doc/ale-python.txt
+++ b/doc/ale-python.txt
@@ -231,6 +231,17 @@ g:ale_python_pycodestyle_use_global       *g:ale_python_pycodestyle_use_global*
 ===============================================================================
 pylint                                                      *ale-python-pylint*
 
+g:ale_python_pylint_change_directory     *g:ale_python_pylint_change_directory*
+                                         *b:ale_python_pylint_change_directory*
+  Type: |Number|
+  Default: `1`
+
+  If set to `1`, ALE will switch to the directory the Python file being
+  checked with `pylint` is in before checking it. This helps `pylint` find
+  configuration files more easily. This option can be turned off if you want
+  to control the directory Python is executed from yourself.
+
+
 g:ale_python_pylint_executable                 *g:ale_python_pylint_executable*
                                                *b:ale_python_pylint_executable*
   Type: |String|
diff --git a/test/command_callback/test_pylint_command_callback.vader b/test/command_callback/test_pylint_command_callback.vader
index 5dc6abe..1cdc34d 100644
--- a/test/command_callback/test_pylint_command_callback.vader
+++ b/test/command_callback/test_pylint_command_callback.vader
@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@ Before:
   Save g:ale_python_pylint_executable
   Save g:ale_python_pylint_options
   Save g:ale_python_pylint_use_global
+  Save g:ale_python_pylint_change_directory
 
   unlet! g:ale_python_pylint_executable
   unlet! g:ale_python_pylint_options
   unlet! g:ale_python_pylint_use_global
+  unlet! g:ale_python_pylint_change_directory
 
   runtime ale_linters/python/pylint.vim
   call ale#test#SetDirectory('/testplugin/test/command_callback')
@@ -32,6 +34,17 @@ Execute(The pylint callbacks should return the correct default values):
   \   . ale#Escape('pylint') . ' ' . b:command_tail,
   \ ale_linters#python#pylint#GetCommand(bufnr(''))
 
+Execute(The option for disabling changing directories should work):
+  let g:ale_python_pylint_change_directory = 0
+
+  AssertEqual
+  \ 'pylint',
+  \ ale_linters#python#pylint#GetExecutable(bufnr(''))
+  \
+  AssertEqual
+  \ ale#Escape('pylint') . ' ' . b:command_tail,
+  \ ale_linters#python#pylint#GetCommand(bufnr(''))
+
 Execute(The pylint executable should be configurable, and escaped properly):
   let g:ale_python_pylint_executable = 'executable with spaces'