diff --git a/eeschema/cross-probing.cpp b/eeschema/cross-probing.cpp
index 3175038aed..d0e71d2fca 100644
--- a/eeschema/cross-probing.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/cross-probing.cpp
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@
  * \li \c \$PART: \c "reference" \c \$REF: \c "ref" Put cursor on component reference.
  * \li \c \$PART: \c "reference" \c \$VAL: \c "value" Put cursor on component value.
  * \li \c \$PART: \c "reference" \c \$PAD: \c "pin name" Put cursor on the component pin.
+ * \li \c \$NET: \c "netname" Highlight a specified net
  * <p>
  * @param cmdline = received command from Pcbnew
  */
@@ -69,7 +70,24 @@ void SCH_EDIT_FRAME::ExecuteRemoteCommand( const char* cmdline )
     char* idcmd = strtok( line, " \n\r" );
     char* text  = strtok( NULL, "\"\n\r" );
 
-    if( (idcmd == NULL) || (text == NULL) )
+    if( idcmd == NULL )
+        return;
+
+    if( strcmp( idcmd, "$NET:" ) == 0 )
+    {
+        if( GetToolId() == ID_HIGHLIGHT )
+        {
+            m_SelectedNetName = FROM_UTF8( text );
+
+            SetStatusText( _( "Selected net: " ) + m_SelectedNetName );
+            SetCurrentSheetHighlightFlags();
+            m_canvas->Refresh();
+        }
+
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if( text == NULL )
         return;
 
     if( strcmp( idcmd, "$PART:" ) != 0 )
@@ -185,6 +203,25 @@ void SCH_EDIT_FRAME::SendMessageToPCBNEW( EDA_ITEM* aObjectToSync, SCH_COMPONENT
 }
 
 
+void SCH_EDIT_FRAME::SendCrossProbeNetName( const wxString& aNetName )
+{
+    std::string packet = StrPrintf( "$NET: %s", TO_UTF8( aNetName ) );
+
+    if( packet.size() )
+    {
+        if( Kiface().IsSingle() )
+            SendCommand( MSG_TO_PCB, packet.c_str() );
+        else
+        {
+            // Typically ExpressMail is going to be s-expression packets, but since
+            // we have existing interpreter of the cross probe packet on the other
+            // side in place, we use that here.
+            Kiway().ExpressMail( FRAME_PCB, MAIL_CROSS_PROBE, packet, this );
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 void SCH_EDIT_FRAME::KiwayMailIn( KIWAY_EXPRESS& mail )
 {
     const std::string& payload = mail.GetPayload();
diff --git a/eeschema/highlight_connection.cpp b/eeschema/highlight_connection.cpp
index 367bd3e354..78f50b2d23 100644
--- a/eeschema/highlight_connection.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/highlight_connection.cpp
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ bool SCH_EDIT_FRAME::HighlightConnectionAtPosition( wxPoint aPosition )
         }
     }
 
+    SendCrossProbeNetName( m_SelectedNetName );
     SetStatusText( "selected net: " + m_SelectedNetName );
     SetCurrentSheetHighlightFlags();
     m_canvas->Refresh();
diff --git a/eeschema/schframe.h b/eeschema/schframe.h
index 78410407ba..bee8da0f11 100644
--- a/eeschema/schframe.h
+++ b/eeschema/schframe.h
@@ -511,6 +511,13 @@ public:
      */
     void SendMessageToPCBNEW( EDA_ITEM* aObjectToSync, SCH_COMPONENT* aPart );
 
+    /**
+     * Sends a net name to eeschema for highlighting
+     *
+     * @param aNetName is the name of a net, or empty string to clear highlight
+     */
+    void SendCrossProbeNetName( const wxString& aNetName );
+
     /**
      * Create a flat list which stores all connected objects.
      *
diff --git a/pcbnew/cross-probing.cpp b/pcbnew/cross-probing.cpp
index e552482ae1..b914cd3105 100644
--- a/pcbnew/cross-probing.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/cross-probing.cpp
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 #include <tool/tool_manager.h>
 #include <tools/selection_tool.h>
 #include <pcb_draw_panel_gal.h>
+#include <pcb_painter.h>
 
 /* Execute a remote command send by Eeschema via a socket,
  * port KICAD_PCB_PORT_SERVICE_NUMBER
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@
  * Commands are
  * $PART: "reference"   put cursor on component
  * $PIN: "pin name"  $PART: "reference" put cursor on the footprint pin
+ * $NET: "net name" highlight the given net (if highlight tool is active)
  */
 void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::ExecuteRemoteCommand( const char* cmdline )
 {
@@ -58,7 +60,46 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::ExecuteRemoteCommand( const char* cmdline )
     idcmd = strtok( line, " \n\r" );
     text  = strtok( NULL, " \n\r" );
 
-    if( !idcmd || !text )
+    if( idcmd == NULL )
+        return;
+
+    if( strcmp( idcmd, "$NET:" ) == 0 )
+    {
+        if( GetToolId() == ID_PCB_HIGHLIGHT_BUTT )
+        {
+            wxString net_name = FROM_UTF8( text );
+            NETINFO_ITEM* netinfo = pcb->FindNet( net_name );
+            int netcode = 0;
+
+            if( netinfo )
+                netcode = netinfo->GetNet();
+
+            if( IsGalCanvasActive() )
+            {
+                auto rs = m_toolManager->GetView()->GetPainter()->GetSettings();
+                rs->SetHighlight( true, netcode );
+                m_toolManager->GetView()->UpdateAllLayersColor();
+                GetGalCanvas()->Refresh();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                if( netcode > 0 )
+                {
+                    pcb->HighLightON();
+                    pcb->SetHighLightNet( netcode );
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    pcb->HighLightOFF();
+                    pcb->SetHighLightNet( -1 );
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if( text == NULL )
         return;
 
     if( strcmp( idcmd, "$PART:" ) == 0 )
@@ -246,6 +287,25 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::SendMessageToEESCHEMA( BOARD_ITEM* aSyncItem )
 }
 
 
+void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::SendCrossProbeNetName( const wxString& aNetName )
+{
+    std::string packet = StrPrintf( "$NET: \"%s\"", TO_UTF8( aNetName ) );
+
+    if( packet.size() )
+    {
+        if( Kiface().IsSingle() )
+            SendCommand( MSG_TO_SCH, packet.c_str() );
+        else
+        {
+            // Typically ExpressMail is going to be s-expression packets, but since
+            // we have existing interpreter of the cross probe packet on the other
+            // side in place, we use that here.
+            Kiway().ExpressMail( FRAME_SCH, MAIL_CROSS_PROBE, packet, this );
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::KiwayMailIn( KIWAY_EXPRESS& mail )
 {
     const std::string& payload = mail.GetPayload();
diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_editor_control.cpp b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_editor_control.cpp
index 96ca451e5c..b43301b68b 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_editor_control.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_editor_control.cpp
@@ -902,12 +902,14 @@ static bool highlightNet( TOOL_MANAGER* aToolMgr, const VECTOR2D& aPosition )
             MSG_PANEL_ITEMS items;
             netinfo->GetMsgPanelInfo( items );
             frame->SetMsgPanel( items );
+            frame->SendCrossProbeNetName( netinfo->GetNetname() );
         }
     }
     else
     {
         board->ResetHighLight();
         frame->SetMsgPanel( board );
+        frame->SendCrossProbeNetName( "" );
     }
 
     return true;
diff --git a/pcbnew/wxPcbStruct.h b/pcbnew/wxPcbStruct.h
index b1fe57c989..0ca3bcee0d 100644
--- a/pcbnew/wxPcbStruct.h
+++ b/pcbnew/wxPcbStruct.h
@@ -1667,6 +1667,13 @@ public:
      */
     void SendMessageToEESCHEMA( BOARD_ITEM* objectToSync );
 
+    /**
+     * Sends a net name to eeschema for highlighting
+     *
+     * @param aNetName is the name of a net, or empty string to clear highlight
+     */
+    void SendCrossProbeNetName( const wxString& aNetName );
+
     /**
      * Function Edit_Gap
      * edits the GAP module if it has changed the position and/or size of the pads that