Use of diode in 555 pulse generator

[rodcastler]

Hi!

I came across this diagram for a simple pulse generator I needed. It looks fairly straightforward to me, and it allows me plenty of control over both the low pulse length and the high pulse length.

What puzzles me though, is the presence of D1 (Top Left). I couldn't figure out what it would be for, and of course if I remove it from the circuit, it still works as expected.
Is it just best practice, or am I missing something?

Thank you.

[Kim Christensen]

No, I don't see the purpose for D1 in your diagram. Perhaps they meant to do it like this, so that C1, if it was large, would get discharged if the power was cycled relatively quickly: