diff --git a/doc/api/cli.md b/doc/api/cli.md
index a2861024659af2..eba50ae45636ef 100644
--- a/doc/api/cli.md
+++ b/doc/api/cli.md
@@ -290,6 +290,17 @@ added:
 
 Expose the [Web Crypto API][] on the global scope.
 
+### `--experimental-import module`
+
+<!-- YAML
+added: REPLACEME
+-->
+
+Preload the specified module at startup.
+
+Follows [ECMAScript modules][] resolution
+rules.
+
 ### `--experimental-import-meta-resolve`
 
 <!-- YAML
@@ -1653,6 +1664,7 @@ Node.js options that are allowed are:
 * `--enable-source-maps`
 * `--experimental-abortcontroller`
 * `--experimental-global-webcrypto`
+* `--experimental-import`
 * `--experimental-import-meta-resolve`
 * `--experimental-json-modules`
 * `--experimental-loader`
@@ -2078,6 +2090,7 @@ done
 [Chrome DevTools Protocol]: https://chromedevtools.github.io/devtools-protocol/
 [CommonJS]: modules.md
 [ECMAScript module loader]: esm.md#loaders
+[ECMAScript modules]: esm.md#modules-ecmascript-modules
 [Fetch API]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Fetch_API
 [Modules loaders]: packages.md#modules-loaders
 [OSSL_PROVIDER-legacy]: https://www.openssl.org/docs/man3.0/man7/OSSL_PROVIDER-legacy.html
diff --git a/lib/internal/modules/run_main.js b/lib/internal/modules/run_main.js
index 5a50d5d6afab6e..9ec28e6847caeb 100644
--- a/lib/internal/modules/run_main.js
+++ b/lib/internal/modules/run_main.js
@@ -33,7 +33,12 @@ function shouldUseESMLoader(mainPath) {
    * (or an empty list when none have been registered).
    */
   const userLoaders = getOptionValue('--experimental-loader');
-  if (userLoaders.length > 0)
+  /**
+   * @type {string[]} userImports A list of preloaded modules registered by the user
+   * (or an empty list when none have been registered).
+   */
+  const userImports = getOptionValue('--experimental-import');
+  if (userLoaders.length > 0 || userImports.length > 0)
     return true;
   const esModuleSpecifierResolution =
     getOptionValue('--experimental-specifier-resolution');
diff --git a/lib/internal/process/esm_loader.js b/lib/internal/process/esm_loader.js
index eeb6ad77a7ec88..22b10656621a9e 100644
--- a/lib/internal/process/esm_loader.js
+++ b/lib/internal/process/esm_loader.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 const {
+  ArrayIsArray,
   ObjectCreate,
 } = primordials;
 
@@ -56,8 +57,24 @@ async function initializeLoader() {
 
   const { getOptionValue } = require('internal/options');
   const customLoaders = getOptionValue('--experimental-loader');
+  const preloadModules = getOptionValue('--experimental-import');
+  const keyedExportsList = await loadInternalModules(customLoaders);
 
-  if (customLoaders.length === 0) return;
+  // Hooks must then be added to external/public loader
+  // (so they're triggered in userland)
+  await esmLoader.addCustomLoaders(keyedExportsList);
+
+  // Preload after loaders are added so they can be used
+  if (preloadModules && preloadModules.length > 0) {
+    await loadInternalModules(preloadModules);
+  }
+
+  isESMInitialized = true;
+}
+
+async function loadInternalModules(requests) {
+  if (!ArrayIsArray(requests) || requests.length === 0)
+    return;
 
   let cwd;
   try {
@@ -72,17 +89,11 @@ async function initializeLoader() {
   const internalEsmLoader = new ESMLoader();
 
   // Importation must be handled by internal loader to avoid poluting userland
-  const keyedExportsList = await internalEsmLoader.import(
-    customLoaders,
+  return internalEsmLoader.import(
+    requests,
     pathToFileURL(cwd).href,
     ObjectCreate(null),
   );
-
-  // Hooks must then be added to external/public loader
-  // (so they're triggered in userland)
-  await esmLoader.addCustomLoaders(keyedExportsList);
-
-  isESMInitialized = true;
 }
 
 exports.loadESM = async function loadESM(callback) {
diff --git a/src/node_options.cc b/src/node_options.cc
index 25e4caf98ad210..eaf989f1db6bbf 100644
--- a/src/node_options.cc
+++ b/src/node_options.cc
@@ -604,10 +604,14 @@ EnvironmentOptionsParser::EnvironmentOptionsParser() {
   AddAlias("-pe", { "--print", "--eval" });
   AddAlias("-p", "--print");
   AddOption("--require",
-            "module to preload (option can be repeated)",
-            &EnvironmentOptions::preload_modules,
+            "cjs module to preload (option can be repeated)",
+            &EnvironmentOptions::preload_cjs_modules,
             kAllowedInEnvironment);
   AddAlias("-r", "--require");
+  AddOption("--experimental-import",
+            "esm module to preload (option can be repeated)",
+            &EnvironmentOptions::preload_esm_modules,
+            kAllowedInEnvironment);
   AddOption("--interactive",
             "always enter the REPL even if stdin does not appear "
             "to be a terminal",
diff --git a/src/node_options.h b/src/node_options.h
index a4744fb9e5b8a5..d384cd271d86c3 100644
--- a/src/node_options.h
+++ b/src/node_options.h
@@ -187,7 +187,9 @@ class EnvironmentOptions : public Options {
   bool tls_max_v1_3 = false;
   std::string tls_keylog;
 
-  std::vector<std::string> preload_modules;
+  std::vector<std::string> preload_cjs_modules;
+
+  std::vector<std::string> preload_esm_modules;
 
   std::vector<std::string> user_argv;