diff --git a/openmc/deplete/operator.py b/openmc/deplete/operator.py
index 8eb033783f..2572150012 100644
--- a/openmc/deplete/operator.py
+++ b/openmc/deplete/operator.py
@@ -113,6 +113,12 @@ class Operator(TransportOperator):
         ``fission_yield_mode``. Will be passed directly on to the
         helper. Passing a value of None will use the defaults for
         the associated helper.
+    reduce_chain : bool or int, optional
+        If ``True`` or an integer, create a reduced depletion chain by
+        following transmuation paths for isotopes in burnable materials.
+        A value of ``True`` implies to follow all paths to completion,
+        while a non-negative integer indicates the depth. See
+        :meth:`openmc.deplete.Chain.reduce`
 
     Attributes
     ----------
@@ -158,7 +164,8 @@ class Operator(TransportOperator):
     def __init__(self, geometry, settings, chain_file=None, prev_results=None,
                  diff_burnable_mats=False, energy_mode="fission-q",
                  fission_q=None, dilute_initial=1.0e3,
-                 fission_yield_mode="constant", fission_yield_opts=None):
+                 fission_yield_mode="constant", fission_yield_opts=None,
+                 reduce_chain=False):
         if fission_yield_mode not in self._fission_helpers:
             raise KeyError(
                 "fission_yield_mode must be one of {}, not {}".format(
@@ -179,6 +186,17 @@ class Operator(TransportOperator):
         self.geometry = geometry
         self.diff_burnable_mats = diff_burnable_mats
 
+        # Reduce the chain before we create more materials
+        if reduce_chain is not False:
+            all_isotopes = set()
+            for material in geometry.get_all_materials().values():
+                if not material.depletable:
+                    continue
+                for name, _dens_percent, _dens_type in material.nuclides:
+                    all_isotopes.add(name)
+            level = None if reduce_chain is True else reduce_chain
+            self.chain = self.chain.reduce(all_isotopes, level)
+
         # Differentiate burnable materials with multiple instances
         if self.diff_burnable_mats:
             self._differentiate_burnable_mats()