diff --git a/cmds/am/src/com/android/commands/am/Am.java b/cmds/am/src/com/android/commands/am/Am.java
index eca5af976d42c..3566caf8d3221 100644
--- a/cmds/am/src/com/android/commands/am/Am.java
+++ b/cmds/am/src/com/android/commands/am/Am.java
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@ public class Am {
 
         if (op.equals("start")) {
             runStart();
+        } else if (op.equals("start-service")) {
+            runStartService();
         } else if (op.equals("instrument")) {
             runInstrument();
         } else if (op.equals("broadcast")) {
@@ -238,6 +240,19 @@ public class Am {
         }
     }
 
+    private void runStartService() throws Exception {
+        Intent intent = makeIntent();
+
+        if (intent != null) {
+            System.out.println("Starting: " + intent);
+            try {
+                mAm.startService(null, intent, intent.getType());
+            } catch (Exception e) {
+                System.err.println("Error: " + e);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     private void sendBroadcast() throws Exception {
         Intent intent = makeIntent();
         IntentReceiver receiver = new IntentReceiver();