diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 44609788e..5a9295d21 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ Detailed list of changes
 - Speed up the ``kitty @`` executable by ~10x reducing the time for typical
   remote control commands from ~50ms to ~5ms
 
+- Allow using the cwd of the original process for :option:`launch --cwd` (:iss:`5672`)
+
 0.26.5 [2022-11-07]
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
diff --git a/kitty/launch.py b/kitty/launch.py
index 28c79d0aa..49fecaab7 100644
--- a/kitty/launch.py
+++ b/kitty/launch.py
@@ -93,14 +93,15 @@ opened window.
 
 
 --cwd
-completion=type:directory kwds:current,oldest,last_reported
+completion=type:directory kwds:current,oldest,last_reported,root
 The working directory for the newly launched child. Use the special value
 :code:`current` to use the working directory of the currently active window.
 The special value :code:`last_reported` uses the last working directory reported
 by the shell (needs :ref:`shell_integration` to work). The special value
 :code:`oldest` works like :code:`current` but uses the working directory of the
 oldest foreground process associated with the currently active window rather
-than the newest foreground process.
+than the newest foreground process. Finally, the special value :code:`root`
+refers to the process that was originally started when the window was created.
 
 
 --env
@@ -484,6 +485,9 @@ def launch(
         elif opts.cwd == 'oldest':
             if active:
                 kw['cwd_from'] = CwdRequest(active, CwdRequestType.oldest)
+        elif opts.cwd == 'root':
+            if active:
+                kw['cwd_from'] = CwdRequest(active, CwdRequestType.root)
         else:
             kw['cwd'] = opts.cwd
     if opts.location != 'default':
diff --git a/kitty/window.py b/kitty/window.py
index 1532a09dc..3ae988c6d 100644
--- a/kitty/window.py
+++ b/kitty/window.py
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ class CwdRequestType(Enum):
     current: int = auto()
     last_reported: int = auto()
     oldest: int = auto()
+    root: int = auto()
 
 
 class CwdRequest:
@@ -92,6 +93,8 @@ class CwdRequest:
         reported_cwd = path_from_osc7_url(window.screen.last_reported_cwd) if window.screen.last_reported_cwd else ''
         if reported_cwd and not window.child_is_remote and (self.request_type is CwdRequestType.last_reported or window.at_prompt):
             return reported_cwd
+        if self.request_type is CwdRequestType.root:
+            return window.child.current_cwd or ''
         return window.get_cwd_of_child(oldest=self.request_type is CwdRequestType.oldest) or ''
 
     def modify_argv_for_launch_with_cwd(self, argv: List[str]) -> str:
@@ -99,7 +102,7 @@ class CwdRequest:
         if not window:
             return ''
         reported_cwd = path_from_osc7_url(window.screen.last_reported_cwd) if window.screen.last_reported_cwd else ''
-        if reported_cwd:
+        if reported_cwd and (self.request_type is not CwdRequestType.root or window.root_in_foreground_processes):
             # First check if we are running ssh kitten, and trying to open the configured login shell
             if argv[0] == resolved_shell(get_options())[0]:
                 ssh_kitten_cmdline = window.ssh_kitten_cmdline()
@@ -1389,6 +1392,14 @@ class Window:
     def cwd_of_child(self) -> Optional[str]:
         return self.get_cwd_of_child()
 
+    @property
+    def root_in_foreground_processes(self) -> bool:
+        q = self.child.pid
+        for p in self.child.foreground_processes:
+            if p['pid'] == q:
+                return True
+        return False
+
     @property
     def child_is_remote(self) -> bool:
         for p in self.child.foreground_processes: