diff --git a/src/_h5ai/conf/options.json b/src/_h5ai/conf/options.json
index cb05ee63..06562ed7 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/conf/options.json
+++ b/src/_h5ai/conf/options.json
@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ Options
 	- doc: array of types
 	- delay: delay in milliseconds after "dom-ready" before thumb-requesting starts
 	- size: number, size in pixel of the generated thumbnails
+	- exif: boolean, use included EXIF thumbs if possible
 	*/
 	"thumbnails": {
 		"enabled": true,
@@ -319,7 +320,8 @@ Options
 		"mov": ["video"],
 		"doc": ["pdf", "ps"],
 		"delay": 1,
-		"size": 96
+		"size": 96,
+		"exif": true
 	},
 
 	/*
diff --git a/src/_h5ai/server/php/inc/Thumb.php b/src/_h5ai/server/php/inc/Thumb.php
index d227279c..7476575e 100644
--- a/src/_h5ai/server/php/inc/Thumb.php
+++ b/src/_h5ai/server/php/inc/Thumb.php
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ class Thumb {
 			$image = new Image();
 
 			$et = false;
-			if (function_exists("exif_thumbnail")) {
+			$opts = $this->app->get_options();
+			if ($opts["thumbnails"]["exif"] === true && function_exists("exif_thumbnail")) {
 				$et = @exif_thumbnail($source_abs_path);
 			}
 			if($et !== false) {