diff --git a/tests/openpgp/gpgtar.test b/tests/openpgp/gpgtar.test
index f71a88381..124ba404c 100755
--- a/tests/openpgp/gpgtar.test
+++ b/tests/openpgp/gpgtar.test
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ TESTFILES="$plain_files $data_files"
 
 TESTDIR=gpgtar.d
 FILELIST="${TESTDIR}/filelist"
+PPFILE="${TESTDIR}/passphrase"
 GPG=../../g10/gpg2
 GPGARGS="$opt_always --no-permission-warning"
 
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ do_test()
 
     rm -rf -- "${TESTDIR}"
     mkdir "${TESTDIR}"
+    echo frob >"$PPFILE"
 
     $TOOL --gpg "$GPG" --gpg-args "$GPGARGS" $CREATE_FLAGS \
 	  --output "${TESTDIR}/test.tar.pgp" $TESTFILES
@@ -69,6 +71,7 @@ do_test()
 }
 
 for TOOL in "$GPGTAR" "$GPGZIP"
+#for TOOL in "$GPGZIP"
 do
     do_test "$TOOL" \
 	    "--encrypt --recipient $usrname2" \
@@ -84,6 +87,11 @@ do
 	    "--sign --local-user $usrname3" \
 	    "--list-archive" \
 	    "--decrypt"
+
+    do_test "$TOOL" \
+	    "--gpg-args --passphrase-file=$PPFILE --symmetric" \
+	    "--gpg-args --passphrase-file=$PPFILE --list-archive" \
+	    "--gpg-args --passphrase-file=$PPFILE --decrypt"
 done
 
 # Success!
diff --git a/tools/gpgtar-create.c b/tools/gpgtar-create.c
index d5e3becf5..d8d1d54f1 100644
--- a/tools/gpgtar-create.c
+++ b/tools/gpgtar-create.c
@@ -896,9 +896,16 @@ gpgtar_create (char **inpattern, int encrypt, int sign)
       if (err)
         goto leave;
 
+      /* '--encrypt' may be combined with '--symmetric', but 'encrypt'
+         is set either way.  Clear it if no recipients are specified.
+         XXX: Fix command handling.  */
+       if (opt.symmetric && opt.recipients == NULL)
+         encrypt = 0;
+
       argv = xtrycalloc (strlist_length (opt.gpg_arguments)
                          + 2 * strlist_length (opt.recipients)
-                         + 1 + !!encrypt + !!sign + 2 * !!opt.user,
+                         + 1 + !!encrypt + !!sign + 2 * !!opt.user
+                         + !!opt.symmetric,
                          sizeof *argv);
       if (argv == NULL)
         {
@@ -915,6 +922,8 @@ gpgtar_create (char **inpattern, int encrypt, int sign)
           argv[i++] = "--local-user";
           argv[i++] = opt.user;
         }
+      if (opt.symmetric)
+        argv[i++] = "--symmetric";
       for (arg = opt.recipients; arg; arg = arg->next)
         {
           argv[i++] = "--recipient";
@@ -925,7 +934,8 @@ gpgtar_create (char **inpattern, int encrypt, int sign)
       argv[i++] = NULL;
       assert (i == strlist_length (opt.gpg_arguments)
               + 2 * strlist_length (opt.recipients)
-              + 1 + !!encrypt + !!sign + 2 * !!opt.user);
+              + 1 + !!encrypt + !!sign + 2 * !!opt.user
+              + !!opt.symmetric);
 
       err = sh_exec_tool_stream (opt.gpg_program, argv,
                                  outstream, cipher_stream);
diff --git a/tools/gpgtar.c b/tools/gpgtar.c
index 800165462..46d06bd48 100644
--- a/tools/gpgtar.c
+++ b/tools/gpgtar.c
@@ -322,7 +322,6 @@ parse_arguments (ARGPARSE_ARGS *pargs, ARGPARSE_OPTS *popts)
           break;
 
         case oSymmetric:
-          log_info ("note: ignoring option --symmetric\n");
           set_cmd (&cmd, aEncrypt);
           opt.symmetric = 1;
           break;