diff --git a/beets/config_default.yaml b/beets/config_default.yaml
index 6e3918c0c..295245edf 100644
--- a/beets/config_default.yaml
+++ b/beets/config_default.yaml
@@ -111,3 +111,4 @@ match:
 
 thumbnails:
     force: no
+    auto: yes
diff --git a/beetsplug/thumbnails.py b/beetsplug/thumbnails.py
index 31bf7f5d5..b467bdb02 100644
--- a/beetsplug/thumbnails.py
+++ b/beetsplug/thumbnails.py
@@ -45,11 +45,12 @@ class ThumbnailsPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
     def __init__(self):
         super(ThumbnailsPlugin, self).__init__()
         self.config.add({
+            'auto': True,
             'force': False,
         })
 
         self.write_metadata = None
-        if self._check_local_ok():
+        if self.config['auto'] and self._check_local_ok():
             self.register_listener('album_imported', self.imported)
 
     def commands(self):