diff --git a/main.tf b/main.tf
index 5e7d71f..3ad045e 100644
--- a/main.tf
+++ b/main.tf
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ resource "google_bigtable_instance" "bigtable_instance" {
   project = var.project
 
   deletion_protection = var.deletion_protection
+  force_destroy       = var.force_destroy
 
   cluster {
     cluster_id   = local.cluster_name
diff --git a/variables.tf b/variables.tf
index e7ae7a0..2990f40 100644
--- a/variables.tf
+++ b/variables.tf
@@ -45,3 +45,9 @@ variable "deletion_protection" {
   description = "set deletion protection on bigtable stack"
   default     = true
 }
+
+variable "force_destroy" {
+  type        = bool
+  description = "set force delete (of backups) on bigtable stack destruction"
+  default     = false
+}