diff --git a/Jenkinsfile b/Jenkinsfile
index 6fea360..bb2f35d 100644
--- a/Jenkinsfile
+++ b/Jenkinsfile
@@ -3,6 +3,13 @@
 // Build base image (with TensorFlow) only when requirements.txt changes
 // Then app builds are fast (~30s) using the cached base image
 
+properties([
+  parameters([
+    booleanParam(name: 'BUILD_BASE', defaultValue: false, 
+      description: 'Build base image with TensorFlow (only needed when requirements.txt changes)')
+  ])
+])
+
 def buildBase = params.BUILD_BASE ?: false
 
 def builds = []