diff --git a/beets/config_default.yaml b/beets/config_default.yaml
index ba58debe7..545fa9638 100644
--- a/beets/config_default.yaml
+++ b/beets/config_default.yaml
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ ui:
 format_item: $artist - $album - $title
 format_album: $albumartist - $album
 time_format: '%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S'
+format_raw_length: no
 
 sort_album: albumartist+ album+
 sort_item: artist+ album+ disc+ track+
diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 13b0b92fa..77c4bf8ab 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -200,7 +200,11 @@ class DurationType(types.Float):
     query = dbcore.query.DurationQuery
 
     def format(self, value):
-        return beets.ui.human_seconds_short(value or 0.0)
+        # TODO: decide if documenting format_raw_length
+        if not beets.config['format_raw_length'].get(bool):
+            return beets.ui.human_seconds_short(value or 0.0)
+        else:
+            return value
 
     def parse(self, string):
         try: