diff --git a/bin/kibana b/bin/kibana
index 5f2a124b801e8..e8910f826ee1b 100755
--- a/bin/kibana
+++ b/bin/kibana
@@ -21,5 +21,6 @@ if [ ! -x "$NODE" ]; then
   exit 1
 fi
 
-exec "${NODE}" "${DIR}/src/cli" ${@}
+NODE_OPTIONS="${NODE_OPTIONS:=--max-old-space-size=250}"
+exec "${NODE}" $NODE_OPTIONS "${DIR}/src/cli" ${@}
 
diff --git a/bin/kibana.bat b/bin/kibana.bat
index 53a0df663b9e6..2782793603676 100644
--- a/bin/kibana.bat
+++ b/bin/kibana.bat
@@ -17,8 +17,12 @@ If Not Exist "%NODE%" (
   )
 )
 
+if "%NODE_OPTIONS%" == "" (
+  set NODE_OPTIONS=--max-old-space-size=250
+)
+
 TITLE Kibana Server
-"%NODE%" "%DIR%\src\cli" %*
+"%NODE%" %NODE_OPTIONS% "%DIR%\src\cli" %*
 
 :finally